FARGO - The Wahpeton School District, its superintendent and former high school principal are defendants in a sexual harassment lawsuit before a federal court jury here.

Janet Faye Nelson, a former Wahpeton High School cook, filed a civil lawsuit in September 2002, claiming the school's now-retired principal, Clark Williams, sexually harassed her for more than 10 years. She also said Superintendent Mike Connell did nothing to stop it.

Williams, a Democratic state representative, retired from the school district in 2001. Earlier, he declined comment on the lawsuit.

Connell's attorney, Gary Thune of Bismarck, told the nine-member jury Monday that Nelson was a disgruntled worker who thought she was treated unfairly after she was suspended for stealing food from the school's cafeteria.

An independent investigator who interviewed Nelson's co-workers and other school employees found no evidence supporting her claims, Thune said.

Nelson is "just out to get money," Thune told the jury. "Credibility is the issue and that's your responsibility to decide."

Nelson's attorney, Susan Ellison, said Williams slapped Nelson's buttocks, touched her breast, walked in while she was using the bathroom and made sexually suggestive comments.

The harassment began in early 1989 and continued until May 2001, the lawsuit says. Nelson quit her job Aug. 25, 2001, it says.

Ellison said Nelson has suffered from depression, panic attacks, nightmares and rashes because of Williams' treatment.

The school district mishandled Nelson's complaint and has been negligent in informing its employees about the district's sexual harassment policy, Ellison said.Thune said the district takes the policy seriously.

Head cook Maureen Truesdell said Nelson participated with other kitchen workers in telling sexual jokes. The kitchen workers said Williams regularly stopped by the kitchen for a snack or coffee, but they never saw him sexually harass Nelson.

Nelson routinely voiced school-related complaints, but never told other employees about any sexual harassment, Truesdell said.

Nelson is seeking more than $250,000 in damages and lost wages, the suit says.

U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson said he expects the trial to last about a week.