BOSTON (AP) – The state appeals court has reinstated a female trooper’s sex discrimination claims against the State Police.

Trooper Mary Ritchie had claimed she was disturbed by an apparent office romance between her superior officer and his administrative assistant and by the favors that accompanied the relationship, the Massachusetts Appeals Court said.

After learning of Ritchie’s objections, her superior officer, Lt. Richard Lauria, allegedly criticized her performance, lowered her evaluations, and threatened her with transfer.

Ritchie’s claim against the state police, which was one count in a nine-count lawsuit, was thrown out in Superior Court, which found it simply “did not rise to the level of either a hostile work environment or retaliation,” the appeals court noted.

But the appeals court ruled Friday that the claim should be reinstated.

“We reverse the judgment as we conclude that the factual allegations of office romance, favoritism and reprisals alleged here are sufficient to state a … claim, at least for retaliation,” the court said in a 17-page ruling, written by Appeals Court Judge Scott Kafker.

Scott W. Lang, Ritchie’s attorney, said “we’re very pleased with the decision.”

State Police spokeswoman Capt. Marian McGovern didn’t immediately return a telephone message seeking comment; neither did Lauria.

A spokesman for Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly office declined to comment.

AP-ES-03-19-04 1810EST