Fire District 3, Community Vol. FD, Settle Sexual Harassment Claim For $50,000

A sexual harassment lawsuit brought against members of a township fire department was settled late last year for $50,000.

The settlement – the parties to which were bound by confidentiality clauses – was revealed April 14 by John Paff, township resident who is also chairman of the New Jersey Libertarian Party’s Open Government Advocacy Project.

Paff obtained copies of the settlement through an Open Public Records Act request, he said.

The case was settled on Sept. 5, 2014.

The suit was filed in November 2013 by Courtney Jackson, a former female firefighter with the company, against the fire department, Franklin Township Fire District No. 3, Herman Calvo – Community’s then-Deputy Chief – and 10 John Does.

Jackson alleged that she was dismissed from the department in retaliation for her complaining about alleged sexual harassment.

Jackson, who was a firefighter with the department from March 2012 through June 2013, alleged in the complaint that Calvo made two “sexually harassing comments” to and about her.

The complaint alleges that after Jackson wrote letters to the district’s Board of Trustees complaining of the conduct, she was fired from the department.

As part of the settlement agreement – which can be read in its entirety here – Jackson has agreed to not seek membership in Community Volunteer Fire Company or any fire department within Fire District 3.

In agreeing to the settlement, the defendants did not admit to any wrongdoing, according to the document.

“The payment hereunder is made solely to avoid the inconvenience and cost of litigation and to resolve completely all of Jackson’s claims …” according to the document.

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