February 27, 2018 - 7:42 AM
ANAMOSA, Iowa - An eastern Iowa police chief accused of sending racist and sexist emails has been fired.
The Anamosa City Council voted Monday to fire Chief Bob Simonson after rejecting his offer to retire.
A former officer sued the city in 2015 for sexual harassment and gender discrimination, alleging Simonson sent sexist emails to police department staff, discriminated against her in equipment purchases and retaliated when she complained about bias.
Among the emails she cited was one that included a joke about bras not showing enough of women's breasts. She settled the lawsuit for $750,000.
Simonson has declined to comment on the allegations. A phone number listed for him in Anamosa rang busy Tuesday.
Simonson was hired in 2010. The council plans to appoint a local police sergeant to serve as interim chief.
News from © The Associated Press, 2018