Woman wins $365,000 in sex bias suit

Catharina Costa, 43, worked in the resort's food and beverage warehouse from 1987 until she was fired in 1994. The position involved operating forklifts and other equipment.

"She was put in a man's job," said her attorney, Bob Peccole Sr. "She was allowed to enter a man's job world, and then they treated her differently."

Costa said she was fired after an altercation with a male co-worker, who received a five-day suspension. She said she also was suspended for 30 days in 1993 after being accused of using an ethnic slur.

Peccole said Costa "was treated differently than the men, in her actual work conditions and in her discipline."

Jurors listened to testimony during the three-day trial before returning their verdict Monday.

The jury awarded Costa $200,000 in compensatory damages, $100,000 in punitive damages and nearly $65,000 in back pay.

"We're disappointed in the verdict and surprised," Caesars spokesman Phil Cooper said. "And at this point, we're weighing our options on how we're going to proceed."

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