CITY SETTLES HARASSMENT SUIT AGREEMENT AVOIDS APPEAL IN OFFICERS' CASE.Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer GLENDALE - The city of Glendale and its former attorneys have agreed to pay $4 million to three female Glendale police officers who endured years of sexual harassment sexual harassment, in law, verbal or physical behavior of a sexual nature, aimed at a particular person or group of people, especially in the workplace or in academic or other institutional settings, that is actionable, as in tort or under equal-opportunity statutes. , discrimination and retaliation RETALIATION. The act by which a nation or individual treats another in the same manner that the latter has treated them. For example, if a nation should lay a very heavy tariff on American goods, the United States would be justified in return in laying heavy duties on the manufactures and on the job. The settlement allows the city to avoid an appeal of a June 2003 jury award of $3.5 million to officers Kathryn Frieders, Jamie Franke and Renae Kerner. And it includes the dismissal of a separate suit by the women claiming they were slandered by attorneys for the city in comments made outside the courtroom. ``Although the city disputes the jury determination in the first lawsuit and believes it has strong issues that would prevail on appeal, a settlement of these two matters is in the best interest of the city, the Police Department and its employees and the taxpayers,'' said senior assistant city attorney Carmen Carmen throws over lover for another. [Fr. Lit.: Carmen; Fr. Opera: Bizet, Carmen, Westerman, 189–190] See : Faithlessness Carmen the cards repeatedly spell her death. [Fr. Merino Merino Breed of medium-sized sheep originating in Spain that has become prominent worldwide. It has a white face, white legs, and crimped fine-wool fleece. Known as early as the 12th century, it may have been a Moorish importation. . Attorney Brad Gage, who represented the women, said the settlement is in the best interest of all parties. ``They feel relieved that the process is over,'' Gage said. ``I would certainly hope that this settlement following a verdict and success at trial will send a message so that Glendale does not engage in wrongful conduct Noun 1. wrongful conduct - activity that transgresses moral or civil law; "he denied any wrongdoing" actus reus, misconduct, wrongdoing activity - any specific behavior; "they avoided all recreational activity" in the future.'' A Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Superior Court jury found the city was negligent in preventing harassment Ask a Lawyer Question Country: United States of America State: Nevada I recently moved to nev.from abut have been going back to ca. every 2 to 3 weeks for med. and discrimination the women experienced - including inappropriate comments and unwanted advances - from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s, creating a hostile workplace. The city has spent about $2 million defending the case and, in addition to the $3.5 million award, faced paying about $1.2 million in attorney's fees and about $300,000 interest. The city also faced the second lawsuit, filed after the verdict, claiming one of the defense attorneys made defamatory comments against the plaintiffs. Under terms of the settlement, the law firm Liebert Cassidy Whitmore will pay $1 million of the total settlement. Plaintiff Franke will get a lifetime pension benefit that could surpass $1 million, in addition to her portion of the settlement, Gage said. City Councilman Dave Weaver said the settlement was not an admission of guilt admission of guilt n. a statement by someone accused of a crime that he/she committed the offense. If the admission is made outside court to a police officer it may be introduced as evidence if the defendant was given the proper warnings as to his/her rights . ``Based on all the input we received, we had a very good case on appeal, but the reality is even if you win the appeal, you go back and try the cases and open the wounds again,'' he said. ``Millions of taxpayer dollars would be spent on a retrial retrial n. a new trial granted upon the motion of the losing party, based on obvious error, bias or newly-discovered evidence. (See: newly-discovered evidence) . At what point in time do you stop the hemorrhaging?'' Councilman Frank Quintero did not support the settlement and he said he has questions about how much money the city has spent on the suit to date. Following the award, the city expanded an employee hotline so employees can report any misconduct; hired a senior investigator to assist with claims made by employees concerning harassment, discrimination and retaliation; reviewed city and Police Department policies intended to safeguard against similar incidents; and established a public employee resource team where Police Department employees could come forward confidentially with their concerns about the workplace. Naush Boghossian, (818) 546-3306 naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com |
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