Motion to dismiss sexual harassment suit to be heard April 9

Madison County Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth will hear a defense move to dismiss a woman's sexual harassment suit April 9 at 9 a.m.

A previous hearing had been reset.

Defendants Gary Moore and the Illinois Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Foundation have asked that Ruth throw out a suit brought by former office manager Colleen Vesper, arguing that she did not follow the law to report her alleged harassment.

Vesper is suing Moore and the Foundation on claims of sexual harassment under the Illinois Human Rights Act.

Vesper claims that after she refused to date Moore, her boss, he made her work environment hostile, leading her to eventually leave her job.

She seeks damages of at least $30,000 and costs.

In the motion to dismiss, the defendants claim that Vesper did not properly report the harassment to the state's Human Rights Office as required by the Act.

Ruth had been set to hear the motion in January and in February.

Vesper is represented by Stephen McGlynn.

The defendants are represented by Steven Schwartz.

The case is Madison case number 09-L-1021.