St. Paul to settle police officer’s sexual harassment lawsuit for $60,000

By Emily Gurnon

The city of St. Paul will pay a former police officer $60,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit she filed last year.

Sgt. Aine M. Bebeau claimed that her juvenile unit supervisor, Cmdr. Eugene Polyak, made “inappropriate sexual statements to her” at work and that department brass retaliated against her when she reported it.

She also claimed she was subjected to a hostile work environment and discrimination as a Native American woman.

Between September and November 2010, Polyak complained to Bebeau about his marital problems, told her he became aroused when thinking about her, reported on “erotic dreams” she inspired and asked her if she masturbated at work, the lawsuit said.

St. Paul to settle police officer’s sexual harassment lawsuit for $60,000