Sexual-Harassment Suit Costs Ohio Fire Deptment $900K

A central Ohio township is going to pay nearly $900,000 to a former firefighter to resolve a sexual-harassment lawsuit.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that the settlement between Orange Township and Raechel Peters also calls for reinstating the firefighter to her job this fall.

The agreement includes damages, back pay and attorney fees.

Peters in 2010 sued the township and her supervisor, Fire Lt. Keith Myers, alleging she had been harassed and fired because she is a woman.

A jury awarded her more than $1.7 million in March. Most of the money was to be paid by the township. Myers was ordered to pay $75,000.

A township trustee says the settlement amount includes the lieutenant’s portion.

The newspaper reports Peters had been fired for poor performance in 2008.