BENTON - Two employees have filed a lawsuit in federal court, claiming a Pulaski County public official sexually harassed them.

Federal court records name Pulaski County Sheriff Randy Kern as the defendant in an employment discrimination case based on allegations by two women he sexually harassed them while on duty.

An official complaint was filed against Kern in federal court on Oct. 10. A summons for him to appear on the case was issued the same day.

Regina Goines states in the complaint that she was sexually harassed both physically and verbally, by Kern, while serving as an auxiliary police officer in December 2006.

Kern was Goines immediate supervisor and Goines alleges that Kern made continued sexual comments, requests for sex, and physical gestures and groping during the entirety of her service.

Goines also claims that the sexual harassment she suffered was not limited to her working hours. The complaint states that Goines accuses Kern of coming to her home, while she was off duty and he was in uniform, and attempting to kiss her and touch her inappropriately. She denied his requests and told him to leave.

On Nov. 21, 2007 Kern terminated Goines' employment with Pulaski County, according to the court documents.

Jessica Barnhill, a local business owner, claims she too was sexually harassed verbally at her place of business - Barnhill's Service Station - in August 2007.

The complaint states that Kern brought several county vehicles to the service station for maintenance. While on duty and wearing a police uniform, badge, and sidearm, he grabbed himself inappropriately and made several sexually explicit comments to Barnhill.

In September 2007, Kern returned to the service station and continued with the same line of verbal harassment. Barnhill said he also approached her from behind and groped her inappropriately, as well.

Barnhill told attorneys Kern chased her around the building, noting her husband was absent, during a visit to the service station in October 2007.

Barnhill was able to escape Kern and ordered him to leave the premises.

Calls to Kern's attorney, Joseph A. Bleyer, were not returned on Friday afternoon. Call to Kern were also not returned.