Reno television reporter sues station

RENO -- A Reno television reporter has sued her station, claiming she was subjected to unlawful discrimination and harassment because of her Jewish faith.

Danita Cohen-Breen of KOLO-TV also filed a discrimination complaint with the Nevada Equal Rights Commission against station news director Robert Page, alleging she was demoted from her morning anchor job partly because of her religion.

Cohen-Breen said she couldn't comment because the case is pending. Page and station manager Matt James did not return phone calls Saturday.

In her complaint to the Equal Rights Commission, Cohen-Breen said she had no problems with management of the ABC affiliate for 10 years until Page arrived in March 2007.

"It was at this time that Mr. Page had a meeting in which he announced that he was a born-again Christian," Cohen-Breen wrote in her complaint. "To reinforce this point, Mr. Page's office has a lot of religious artifacts to include a picture of Jesus Christ, a cross and other Christian religious items."

She said she was demoted from morning anchor to reporter in June after she refused Page's request to work extra hours without extra pay.

"I have a Jewish name, and it was at this time Mr. Page asked me if I was Jewish," Cohen-Breen wrote. "I informed him that I was. Mr. Page stated that Jewish people are stubborn and sometimes needed to be humbled."

Cohen-Breen claims two other Jewish newsroom employees were fired by Page, and that she was replaced as anchor by Kendra Kostlecky, "a Christian (who) is frequently seen wearing a cross while on the air."

In her lawsuit, Cohen-Breen seeks $20,000 in general, special and punitive damages plus legal fees, court costs and other relief.