Delaware Insurance Department Officials Accused of Racial, Sexual Harassment

A federal lawsuit has accused top Delaware insurance department officials of workplace sexual and racial harassment.

The Delaware News Journal reports an insurance department employee announced the suit Wednesday accusing Commissioner Trinidad Navarro of inappropriately touching her cornrows and making comments about her body. Navarro says he can’t comment on personnel issues.

The lawsuit also names Navarro’s former deputy commissioner Mitch Crane, as well as another top official and employees in the insurance department and budget office.

The lawsuit says Crane touched the woman’s nails and commented on her appearance and clothes in a way he didn’t direct “to other non-African-American employees.” Crane denies the allegations.

The employee says a proper investigation wasn’t conducted into her complaints. The woman’s attorneys say she’s since faced retaliation efforts “to affect her departure.”