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Ex-officer's lawsuit claims retaliation By LEANORA MINAI © St. Petersburg Times, published February 23, 1999 ST. PETERSBURG -- A former St. Petersburg police officer claims the city and police Chief Goliath Davis III retaliated and discriminated against her because she had previously complained about Davis, according to a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court. Karen Lea, who quit the department last summer, said that after Davis became chief in 1997, she was subjected to a hostile work environment, excessive scrutiny and harassment. Lea made allegations of sexual harassment against Davis in the early '80s, saying that Davis had repeatedly asked her for dates. Davis denied the charge, and nothing ever came of the complaint. "They had that history, and then when he became chief, all of a sudden, things started happening to her," said Lea's attorney, James A. Sheehan. Davis could not be reached for comment late Monday. Sheehan is asking for a jury trial, back pay and compensatory damages for Lea in the lawsuit, which was filed Friday. Action | Alive! | Business | Citrus | Columnists Opinion | Entertainment | Hernando | Pasco | Sports State | Tampa Bay | Travel | World & Nation | Taste © Copyright 1999 St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.