Oregon Public Broadcasting

The former head of Oregon's police training academy faces formal charges of sexual harassment and discrimination.

Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian announced Tuesday that he's filed civil charges against John Minnis, who resigned under pressure last November. Chris Lehman reports.

Minnis was never charged with a crime. But the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries launched a civil investigation in January.

Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian said that investigation now paints what he calls an alarming picture of harassment by John Minnis of a female employee who worked directly under him.Brad Avakian: "Minnis used his high position to subject a subordinate to sexual advances and abuses, including feeding alcohol to the employee when he knew she was vulnerable to alcohol induced blackouts, and then preying on her during the blackout."

Avakian is seeking at least two million dollars in damages for the female employee.

An attorney for Minnis did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Oregon Attorney General's office will represent the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, which is also a defendant in the case.