A federal judge yesterday granted a motion by The Honolulu Advertiser to dismiss a racial discrimination lawsuit filed last year by a former employee.

The suit was filed by Pati Poblete, who joined The Advertiser in September 2006 as the deputy editorial page editor after working at the San Francisco Chronicle. Poblete, who is Filipino, alleged that she was transferred from her job to a lesser role and was subjected to discrimination because of her race.

Poblete also said that her supervisor, Jeanne Mariani-Belding, created a "racially hostile" work environment and that the newspaper retaliated against her.

On Monday, U.S. Senior Federal Judge Samuel King heard arguments from Advertiser attorney Tamara Gerrard and Poblete's lawyer, Venetia Carpenter-Asui, on a motion by the newspaper for a summary judgment. Yesterday, King issued a 19-page order granting the motion.

Carpenter-Asui could not be reached for comment.

Mark Platte, Advertiser editor and senior vice president, issued this statement:

"We are pleased that The Advertiser and Jeanne Mariani-Belding, our editorial and opinion editor, have prevailed in this case and that Judge King clearly recognized that the case had no merit. Jeanne's career has been all about championing diversity and she has been a mentor to many journalists who know that she has fought tirelessly on their behalf. Jeanne has held her head high during this whole ordeal and her integrity and character have never been in question."