Ohio Firefighter Accepts Settlement in $1.7 Million Harassment Case

Posted by: Curt Varone July 16, 2013 2 Comments

An Orange Township, Ohio firefighter who was awarded more than $1.7 million by a jury earlier this year for sexual harassment and discrimination, has agreed to settle her suit for $875,000.

Raechel Sterud, 32, accused the Orange Township Fire Department and her officer, Lieutenant Keith Myers, with harassment and discrimination that resulted in her termination in January, 2008. A jury found in her favor awarding the $1.7 million in damages and ordering Lt. Meyers to pay $75,000 it personally.

The announced settlement will end the case, including Lt. Meyer’s portion. Sterud (now Raechel Peters) will also get her job back.

More on the story.

For prior posts on the case.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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