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Sexual Harassment Scandal In Racine

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Sexual Harassment Scandal In Racine

By Katie DeLong

RACINE - Sandi Tingle says she lost her job two days after she accused the Racine city administrator of sexual harassment. The city administrator won't talk, but the mayor says the accusations are false. The allegations have sent shockwaves throughout City Hall. The mayor's former secretary claims that when she told the mayor that his top administrator was harassing her, the mayor fired her. Mayor Gary Becker says it's a pack of lies. Tingle says the city of Racine fired her because she stood up for herself. Tingle claims that City Administrator Ben Hughes sexually harassed her, and that she was disciplined when she didn't go along with it. “The females who cooperate with a relationship that's a social relationship with Mr. Hughes get favorable treatment and those who don't get unfavorable treatment,” Tingle’s Attorney, Nola Cross said. Tingle insists Mayor Becker knew about the harassment and did not nothing to stop it “The mayor was very aware of the situation,” Cross said. Ultimately, Tingle claims, she was fired when she filed a formal complaint. “If there is an allegation of a sexually hostile work situation, investigate it, and the law should not be something that is a cowboy reaction of firing someone instead of doing an investigation,” Cross said. Mayor Becker didn't mince words when asked about the lawsuit. “Unfounded, unbelievable, almost bizarre,” Mayor Becker said. The Mayor says Tingle's timing is suspect. He says she filed the complaint just two days before they agreed she would leave her job at city hall. “Absolutely a fabrication of the truth,” Mayor Becker said.