To contact us Click HERE
Allentown PA Sept 14 2012 Muhlenberg College has reached a settlement with a former campus security guard who claimed he was fired for reporting several alleged inappropriate actions by the campus security chief.
James Fritts had alleged Chief Tom Dougherty gave a promotion to his lover, and turned a blind eye to college employees watching pornography on school computers in a men's locker room.
According to the college, Fritts did not receive any money from the settlement.
"The court dismissed the action with prejudice," said college President Peyton Helm. "Muhlenberg did not offer or provide any financial payment to Mr. Fritts or his attorney and was prepared to prevail at trial based on the complete lack of merit in the factual and legal claims asserted in his lawsuit."
Fritts filed a lawsuit against the Allentown college last November, and that suit was dismissed on Aug. 30 after both parties reached a settlement, according to records.
Messages to Fritts' home in Palmer Township were not returned. Fritts serves as a part-time police officer in Wilson Borough.
His attorney declined to comment on the terms of the settlement because he said they are confidential.
"I can't say a word," said John Harrison, Fritts' attorney. "My lips are sealed."
Fritts had been seeking at least $150,000 in damages for his Sept. 5, 2009 firing. That included both back and front pay, benefits, punitive damages and legal costs.
Dougherty is out of the office this week and was not available for comment.
Fritts claimed Dougherty had a sexual affair with Brenda Lakis, who was promoted to assistant chief in August 2008, according to the original 10-page lawsuit.
Fritts, who wanted that job himself, said Lakis did not meet the job's qualifications, but Dougherty changed the qualifications so he could hire her, according to the lawsuit.
In the suit, Fritts claims Doughtery and Lakis were often behind closed doors for extended periods of time and refused to answer knocks to the door.
Fritts also claimed that, dating back to 2006, he repeatedly called for investigations into campus employees watching pornography on a computer in the men's locker room of a campus building. Fritts met with a college dean in April 2009 about Dougherty's actions, but no investigation into the allegations was conducted, according to the lawsuit.
Fritts also claims he found a wind-up sex toy in his mailbox after he asked for investigations into the pornography viewing. Later, he said, a poster with pornographic images was hung up next to his locker.
Fritts claims that Dougherty started treating him differently than the other guards, shouting profanities at him and making "snide remarks." Fritts asked to meet with Dougherty about the matter in February 2009, but the chief refused, the suit claims.
Fritts also said in February 2009, a fundraiser was held at the school where students placed money in jars with photos of campus officers, and the one with the highest total donations received a day off with pay.
According to Fritts, Dougherty put the word "mug shot" under Fritts' photo, and even though Fritts won the contest, Dougherty gave all of the officers a paid day off.
Hiç yorum yok:
Yorum Gönder