News : Benton County Settles for $250,000 in Harassment Case

Benton County Harassment Case 5/22/23

In a "Settlement Agreement and General Release" obtained from the county, forms signed by the Benton County Supervisors address claims for the following:Failure to hireUnequal PayDenied BenefitsHarassmentRetaliatory Harassment.A settlement was made by Heartland Insurance Risk Pool on behalf of the county in the amount of $250,000. Along with the payment the female employee "voluntarily" to resign, and cannote ever work for Benton County again.Video released by the county shows the hallway of the service center where Benton County Supervisor Tracy Seeman greets the County Attorney, and then engages in conversation with a female deputy. As the conversation ends, and the two turn to go their ways, Seeman reaches out and pats the deputy on the behind.Immediately following the interaction the expression on the face of the deputy was clear that this was unacceptable to her.The agreement also states that the county denies that they "violated (the deputies) rights or took any other unlawful action against her." The county also does not admit that they infringed on any legal rights of the deputy upon entering in the agreement.The deputy also agrees not to pursue any other legal action against the county.