The state of California agreed to pay a $350,000 settlement to a former employee who accused State Treasurer Fiona Ma of harassment, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.
Judith Blackwell who once worked with Ma in the Treasurer’s office said the two shared a room during a business trip and that Ma exposed herself and crawled into bed with her.
“My client is really excited about resolving her case and looking forward to the future,” said Blackwell’s lawyer, Waukeen McCoy said to the Chronicle. “This is ending a chapter in her life she wants to move forward from.”
Blackwell has agreed to drop her case that had been scheduled to go on trial September 9, Politico reported.
“I’m not happy they’re getting anything, I really wanted my day in court,” Ma said to KCRA. “But now I can put it behind me, and I guess that’s a relief. It’s been a long three years, and I’ve learned anyone can file a lawsuit against anybody else, say things that are not substantiated or proven, and it takes time; it takes money; it takes a lot of heartache to go through a process like that.”
Ma who will be running for Lieutenant Governor next year has maintained her innocence from the beginning. The court last year threw out allegations from Blackwell of racial discrimination and wrongful termination.
Ma says she has been “completely vindicated.” The lawsuit was filed after Blackwell was fired for job performance issues; the court concluded. The judge also dismissed claims she was fired in retaliation for her complaints.
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