Texas Constable Sued for Allegedly Nuzzling Deputy with Breasts

Pam Matranga, Constable of Galveston County, Texas, is being sued for sexual harassment by a former deputy, who says that unwanted sexual advances from the female constable crossed the line.

The sexual harassment suit alleges several shall-we-say uncomfortable incidents, and says that Matranga made untoward and sexually suggestive advances to Deputy James Gist, and that she forced his head into her breasts on at least two occasions. “[Matranga] lifted her blouse and pulled it down over Plaintiff’s head. [She] pressed her breasts against the head of Plaintiff,” says the suit, which can be found in its entirety here.

While Matranga wouldn’t discuss the allegations, she stated, “Unfortunately Mr. Gist is allowed to say and do whatever he wants and I stand by a higher standard,” adding that she wasn’t allowed to comment further. When she was asked by ABC News if she liked to joke around at the office, she simply replied, “Yes.”

After a long string of such incidents, Gist decided to take action by setting up a recording device on his desk. The second “nuzzling” incident was supposedly picked up by this recorder, with Gist yelling for her to stop. So where is the recorder now? According to Gist, the constable used (read: abused) her connections in the District Attorney’s Office in order to either get the recorder destroyed, or at least to delete the potentially incriminating evidence on it.

The recorder got Gist suspended, and he ultimately resigned. The complaint filed by Matranga with the Galveston County District Attorney is being reviewed to determine whether or not Gist’s bugging of his desk “warrants criminal charges,” according to Kevin Petroff, assistant district attorney.