Lafayette College Settles Sexual Harassment Case for $1M

As a result of a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against a campus safety officer accused of fondling female employees and subjecting them to other lewd behavior, Lafayette College will pay $1 million in a settlement.

The lawsuit was filed in 2008 by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on behalf of five women who said Barry Stauffer continued to harass them despite the group’s complaints to administrators about his behavior, reports mcall.com. As a result, one of the women quit her position.

The lawsuit claims Stauffer grabbed the breasts and buttocks of female employees, looked inside their shirts, described sex acts he wanted to perform on them and unsnapped their bras. Additionally, he sent pornographic E-mails to female employees.

Stauffer was dismissed in 2008 — the same year the lawsuit was filed. He is currently serving 18 months probation and community service after pleading guilty to two counts of stalking after being charged with fondling two female college employees.

In addition to paying $1 million to the victims, Lafayette agreed to provide annual sexual harassment training to supervisors and managers, and to post a notice about the legal settlement.

For additional information, click here.

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