RENO, Nev. (AP) - A state Tax Department worker has filed a lawsuit alleging he is the victim of discrimination and demoted after bringing complaints to managers.
In a lawsuit filed in Reno's federal court, Ty Robben alleges he was a victim of racial slurs, profanity and pornography, which combined to make the agency a hostile place to work. Robben has worked for the state agency since 2002.
The lawsuit also alleges Robben was unfairly reprimanded after taking sick leave to care for his ill son. He is seeking unspecified damages for emotional distress and harm to his reputation.
The state and Deputy Tax Director Vince Cherpeski are named in the lawsuit.
Cherpeski calls the allegations "lies." He describes Robben as a malcontent and says no pornography was found on any department computer.