Christy Arnold filing lawsuit alleging sexual harrassment
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Fox 4's John Rupolo breaks the story Video by fox4now.com
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PUNTA GORDA, Fla. - A letter was sent to Punta Gorda City Hall putting the city on notice. Former Punta Gorda Police PIO Christy Arnold plans to sue the city.
Arnold accusing Chief Butch Arenal of making several inappropriate comments to her in front of other officers at a March staff meeting. Arnold is claiming the Chief referred to her as a homosexual and alleged her upcoming marriage was just a cover. Another claim - senior police staff members were talking about a Hooter's billboard whwen the Chief allegedly said,
"which bikini bottoms should Christy wear?". Arnold also claiming on a prior occasion the Chief came right out and asked Arnold what type of underwear she wore. Arnold is claiming discrimination and sexual harrassment. One resident we caught up with felt this way about the pending lawsuit.
"If it really happened then the city should stand behind and get everything taken care of they should lose their jobs," said one resident.
Punta Gorda's City manager told us Arenal admitted making the comments and was given a counseling session instead of disciplinary action. Back in May, we pressed the City Manager for an explanation.
"The Chief is a human being, a human being makes mistakes," said City Manager Howard Kunick.
There have been other problems at the Punta Gorda PD over the past year. Most recently, one officer was fired and before than an anomous survey filled out by officers.
That survey indicated many patrol officers considered Arenal to be a bully. Meanwhile we asked the City Manager, City Council members, and the Chief about this pending lawsuit and they all had no comment.
JOHN RUPOLO
FOX 4 NEWS
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