MURFREESBORO (AP) - Two fired Rutherford County property assessor employees have filed a federal lawsuit against their former boss claiming sex discrimination and sexual harassment.

Kathy Dumm and Janie Zumbro first filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. That suit was dismissed because Bill Boner was an elected official and not within the agency's oversight.

The Daily News Journal reports (http://on.dnj.com/XncmAP) the two filed their federal suit last week.

It claims Boner violated their civil rights and then fired them even though they had spotless work records.

The lawsuit contends they were subjected to "outrageous conduct," such as Boner looking down women's shirts, rubbing against breasts, and making sexual comments and grunting sounds.

Boner has repeatedly denied most of the claims. He says he fired the women for gossiping and insubordination.