Apple Valley Pays $100K in Sexual Harassment Case

Amanda Barnes, who worked for Apple Valley for eight years before resigning this May, said she was subjected to sexual harassment from the city's police officers. In July, Barnes filed a sex-discrimination complaint against Apple Valley with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.

Barnes claimed she was the victim of ongoing sexual harassment and that the city failed to take effective corrective action. The Pioneer Press reported that last month, Barnes and the city reached a settlement agreement that includes a $100,000 payment to her in exchange for her releasing current or future claims, grievances or complaints:

Last month, Barnes and the city reached a mediated settlement agreement that includes a $100,000 payment to Barnes in exchange for her releasing current or future claims, grievances or complaints. Barnes will receive $60,000 for emotional distress and other nonwage damages, while the remainder goes to her attorney.
The city, which denied any liability or wrongdoing relating to Barnes’ allegations in the sex-discrimination complaint, also agreed in the settlement to conduct additional annual training for supervisors “to ensure … that supervisors are aware of their duties related to reporting complaints of discrimination, including sexual harassment.”

Read much more at the Pioneer Press.

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