In the midst of a
sexual harassment suit between radio station KPFK
parent company Pacifica Foundation and two of its employees,
KPFK's lesbian general manager is stepping down
effective October 31, LAObserved.com reports. As
reported in the September 11 issue of The Advocate,
Eva Georgia and the Pacifica Foundation are being sued
by KPFK news director Molly Paige, a heterosexual
woman. The suit, filed in February, cites
"inappropriate, sexually charged remarks, innuendoes, and
gestures as well as sexually offensive touching, which
in turn resulted in a hostile, abusive, and
intolerable working environment." Paige, who is white,
also said that Georgia, a black woman, used racist terms
toward her. Shari Epstein, Georgia's former assistant,
filed a suit against Georgia for race and disability
discrimination.
A statement
released by the Pacifica Foundation says the decision
regarding Georgia was reached by its national board of
directors, who nonetheless acknowledged her
"innovative leadership." The board had passed a
resolution in July expressing its full support for
Georgia and its intention to stand by her in the suit.
According to
LAObserved, when Georgia came to the liberal radio station
it had significant debt, signal problems, and little staff
or volunteer diversity. Under her leadership the
station has expanded, more daily newscasts are being
offered, debt has been eliminated, and the studio has
been renovated. (The Advocate)