Damages Awarded in Rochester Saudi Sex Discrimination Case

Minneapolis, MN (Learfield Wire Services) -  A federal judge has awarded damages to three women who sued a Saudi Arabian prince after he had them fired from their limousine jobs while he was in Rochester.

Gretchen Cooper, Lisa Boutelle, and Barbara Herold won their sex discrimination lawsuit in November against Prince Abdul-Rahman bin Abdul-Aziz, who would not let them serve as chauffeurs for him and his entourage.

US District Judge Joan Erickson on Thursday awarded each woman $130,000 in damages.

The three were among 40 drivers hired to transport the prince and his entourage around Rochester in 2010. Saudi Arabia prohibits female drivers and a human rights group says it's the only country with such a ban.