Commissioner accused of sexual harassment

TAMPA -- A former aide to Hillsborough Commissioner Kevin White sued the county in state court Friday, saying she was fired for refusing his sexual advances.

Alyssa Ogden, who worked for White for seven months before she was fired in November 2007, has made similar claims to the St. Petersburg Times. She has also filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which is unresolved.

Ogden, 23, claims White repeatedly made sexual advances toward her, begging him to "give me a chance," and promising future career advancement if she did. Days after she was hired, she claims White asked her to accompany him on a trip to Atlanta, where, the suit claims, he attempted to sleep in her bed.

Her suit claims she was ultimately fired for refusing White's advances.

The lawsuit does not name White as a defendant, but is filed against Hillsborough County. Attempts to reach White, Ogden and her attorney was not successful Friday.

"We're reviewing the lawsuit and will prepare a defense," said Hillsborough County Attorney Renee Lee. "That's the extent of our comments at this point."

Bill Varian, Times Staff Writer