Wednesday, September 25, 2002
|
Wednesday, September 25, 2002 |
|
Federal judge rules in Fayetteville's favor
By MONROE
ROARK
A federal lawsuit filed by a former Fayetteville employee has been resolved in the city's favor, wrapping up more than two years of litigation. According to a press release issued by the city, U.S. District Judge Jack T. Camp "issued an order granting summary judgment in favor of the city on all counts of former city employee Sherri Anderson's complaint. The order for Summary Judgment was pursuant to various claims filed by Ms. Anderson on October 6, 2000." "The city is very pleased with this decision," said Mayor Kenneth Steele. "We never believed that there was any validity to these counts and it is unfortunate that we had to expend taxpayer funds to defend charges that were unfounded in our opinion. This decision should bring closure to this issue." Anderson, the city's former Main Street director, filed a complaint with the city in January of that year accusing city manager Michael Bryant of creating a hostile work environment. Accounting clerk Amanda Jones filed a similar letter with the city at the same time. Among the allegations are charges that Bryant frequently invited Anderson and Jones to go out socially after work hours and, in Anderson's case, retaliated by humiliating her and attempting to get her to resign when she declined his invitations. The women also accused Bryant of making sexually loaded comments. Bryant was later suspended and ultimately left his position after reaching a separation agreement with the City Council. Anderson publicly expressed her displeasure with the city's decision and offered to forego litigation against the city for a $125,000 out-of-court settlement. The city declined her request for a settlement. Steele said at the time that Bryant's resignation following a month-long city investigation of her complaint "fully resolves the issues."
|
||