UNION GAP — Union Gap has agreed to pay a former employee $750,000 to settle her lawsuit claiming the former mayor created an abusive work environment.
The Yakima Herald-Republic reports that former City Clerk Sherrie Testerman filed a lawsuit against the city and former Mayor Jim Lemon in 2014 alleging that Lemon’s leadership caused her emotional distress. She asked for $1.3 million.
In her lawsuit, Testerman says Lemon verbally abused her and other employees and engaged in gender discrimination.
In the settlement signed Wednesday neither the city nor former Mayor Jim Lemon admits wrongdoing.
In total, the city has paid $1.8 million to former employees who alleged mistreatment by Lemon, who lost his position as mayor in 2012. He served on the city council afterward, but resigned in 2013.
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