Jackson County Settles $1.4 Million Discrimination Suit

(AP) – Jackson County will pay $1.4 million to five former county employees who complained of harassment and discrimination.

The County Legislature approved the settlement Monday. Details of the incidents that prompted the complaints were not released.

Attorney John Phillips told the Independence Examiner that the incidents go back to the 1990s but were only recently brought to the attention of senior county executives. All the employees worked in the assessment department.

He says the incidents were not physical. None of those involved in the conduct or who did not report it are no longer working for the county. All five employees agreed not to discuss the settlement and not to apply for any county jobs in the future.