Otto Passman - Charged With Sexual Discrimination

Charged With Sexual Discrimination

In 1974, Passman dismissed a female employee from his office, Shirley Davis, because he preferred a man to hold her position. Davis sued Passman and won a judgment, affirmed by the Supreme Court in 1979 (Davis v. Passman), which held that Passman's action constituted sexual discrimination. The case remains an important precedent in holding that there is an implied right of action against U.S. congressmen for such discrimination. As such, it recognized a citizen's right to bring a suit against elected federal representatives for violation of constitutional rights.