Harassment suit against state fails

A federal jury in Chicago has rejected a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against the Illinois Department of Human Services by a former employee.

The jury found against 37-year-old Carlos Estes on Tuesday. Estes had alleged that he was fired in May 2003 after refusing sexual advances made by his boss, Teyonda Wertz. The state agency says Estes was fired for misusing a state vehicle.

Wertz is chief of staff for Human Services Secretary Carol Adams. Estes claimed she forced him to share a hotel suite with her during a trip to Springfield and said he'd lose his job if he didn't sleep with her