EMPLOYMENT HARASSMENT: Ex-Employee Asked to Pay $783,000 after Losing Sexual Harassment Case

June 21, 2010

Stanislaus County - A former Sheriff’s Department clerk has been asked to pay around $783,000 after she lost a sexual harassment lawsuit against the county.

According to reports, Lydia Lopez, from Ceres, was unable to convince jurors that a superior had sexually harassed her and that she suffered from retaliation when she informed her managers about the alleged violation.

Stanislaus county officials are now asking Lopez to reimburse the money, which they spent to defend the county.

Reports said the county paid $108, 680 for experts to testify and around $674,155 for attorney’s fees.

A hearing was scheduled on July 20 in order to discuss the issue. It will be presided by Stanislaus County Superior Judge Hurl Johnson.