Rapist's harassment claims to go to trial

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CHICAGO, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- A sexual harassment suit filed by an Illinois serial rapist against a female prison worker can proceed to trial, a federal judge says.

Brad Lieberman charges Victoria Doll, a security therapy aide, made inappropriate sexual advances to him and then had him investigated when he refused to sleep with her, the Chicago Tribune reported Thursday.

The allegations were included in a lawsuit Lieberman filed against Doll and prison officials on various grounds in 2000. Judge John J. Tharp Jr. last week threw out most of the suit except the charges against Doll.

Doll resigned after Lieberman sent a letter detailing her advances to prison officials. He said her actions embarrassed and humiliated him.

She has not denied the allegations, but said in court documents that her actions didn't qualify as harassment.

In his ruling, Tharp disagreed with that argument.

"Doll's statements, notes and gifts to Lieberman made it clear she was actively pursuing a romantic or sexual relationship with him," Tharp wrote. "Such conduct by a person in a position of power or control -- be it a guard, a boss, a teacher -- over the target of the advances is a hallmark of harassing behavior."

Lieberman was tagged the "Plumber Rapist" for a series of attacks in the Chicago area in 1979 while he posed as a plumber. He was convicted of seven rapes and one attempted rape.