1. prosecution brought without reasonable expectation of obtaining a valid conviction; 2. unnecessarily oppressive exercise of authority; 3. conduct motivated by a malicious or discriminatory purpose SEXUAL HARASSMENT refers to any policy or practice pursuant to which employees are subject to physical or verbal harassment by their superiors or are denied employment or promotion on the basis of their gender Source: Barron's Dictionary of Legal Terms, Steven H. Gifis, 5th Edition; © 2016