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Employment Law
Sexual Harassment
Retaliation

Sylvia DeWitt v. City of Oakland

Published: Oct. 17, 2009 | Result Date: Oct. 7, 2008 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: RG07313266 Settlement –  $200,000

Court

Alameda Superior


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Jason M. Erlich
(Erlich Law Firm, P.C.)

John H. Scarpino


Defendant

Ines Vargas Fraenkel

Michael W. Foster
(Foster Employment Law)

Kimberly E. Colwell

John A. Russo

Randolph W. Hall

Lisa Jane Plank-Schwartz


Facts

Roland Smith was elected to City Auditor of Oakland in 1998 and reelected in 2002. In March 2000, he hired Sylvia DeWitt to work as his deputy city auditor. DeWitt sued the city of Oakland and Smith for harassment and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Contentions

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
DeWitt claimed that Smith engaged in a pattern of sexual harassment by repeatedly asking her out and giving her gifts and refusing to stop when asked. She alleged that these behaviors caused her to be uncomfortable in the workplace.

Result

The parties reached a settlement whereby the city would pay DeWitt $125,000 and Smith would pay $75,000.

Other Information

FILING DATE: Feb. 28, 2007.


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