By Molly Montag
Sioux City Journal
DAKOTA CITY, Neb. — Dakota County has reached a $575,000 settlement with seven former corrections officers who accused a former sheriff and chief deputy of sexual discrimination at the Dakota County Jail.
Former corrections officer Alana Crutcher-Sanchez, of Elko, Nev., will receive $250,000, according to a copy of the agreement obtained by the Journal.
Another $325,000 will be divided among former employees who filed a federal lawsuit in 2009: John Gilles and Heather Skow, both of Sioux City; Charvette Williams, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; John Fink Jr., of Harrison, Neb.; Diana Moctezuma, of Marshalltown, Iowa; and Amanda Navin, of Moville, Iowa.
The agreements settle the last of 12 lawsuits filed by former jail employees seeking damages from Dakota County, former Dakota County Sheriff James Wagner and Rod Herron, former chief deputy and jail administrator.
The lawsuits accused Wagner and Herron of sexual harassment, gender discrimination and creating a sexually hostile work environment. Some of the plaintiffs also accused the two men of racial discrimination.
They also sued the Dakota County Board of Commissioners and Dakota County Department of Corrections. Both were later dropped from the litigation.
Five additional plaintiffs also were dropped before the settlement. A judge dismissed all remaining claims on March 1, citing the settlement.
The matter is now settled, said Rick Bousquet, County Board chairman.
“We’re glad it’s behind us,” he said.
Through its insurance company, the county was responsible for a $70,000 deductible, said Joan Spencer, board secretary. The money has already been paid.
She said Herron and Wagner, as county employees, were covered by Dakota County’s insurance company. They did not contribute financially to the agreement.
Wagner declined to comment Tuesday, saying he hadn’t yet spoken with his attorney about the settlement.
Wagner was unseated by current Dakota County Sheriff Chris Kleinberg during the Republican primary in May 2010. Herron, Wagner’s chief deputy, resigned after Kleinberg took office.
Herron could not be reached for comment. His attorney, Charles W. Campbell, of York, Neb., said neither he nor Herron is allowed to comment on the agreement.
Efforts to reach plaintiffs were not immediately successful Tuesday.
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