Key West mayor’s assistant wins sexual harassment case

Celeste Bruno used to work for Key West Mayor Charles “Sonny” McCoy. She claims he constantly regaled her with tales of his sexual conquests and asked prying questions about her and her husband’s sex life. He began to offer her gifts and request sexual favors.

When she refused his advances, things got worse. He became abusive, forcing her to seek treatment for depression and anxiety. A mentally disturbed man began threatening her, claiming he was a friend of the mayor.

She filed a sexual harassment complaint with the EEOC. In it she claimed the county knew of the mayor’s behavior and did nothing to stop it. The county refused to settle the case, and a jury awarded her $48,400, including $38,000 in lost wages and $10,400 in emotional distress.