Former Eckstrom employee settles retaliation case

Web posted December 24, 1997

Associated Press

COLUMBIA -- A former state employee has settled a complaint against Treasurer Richard Eckstrom for $57,500.

Leanne Register Johnson's lawyer said she probably did not have a sexual harassment case, but had threatened to sue because she said she got a poor job evaluation and was demoted after reporting the January 1996 alleged incident.

Eckstrom's chief of staff, Jim Holly, said Tuesday he would not discuss specifics of Johnson's employment. He said her duties did change after she accused the treasurer of harassment, but her salary never was reduced.

Eckstrom said he had nothing to do with reassigning Johnson, but ``I believe that everyone on my staff acted properly.''

Johnson resigned this past winter, about 14 months after Eckstrom allegedly tried to embrace her and kiss her. Her lawyer, J. Lewis Cromer, recommended the case be handed over to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

On Tuesday, though, Cromer said Johnson's claim of harassment was not founded.

``What she said occurred never did rise to the level of sexual harassment,'' he said. ``I believe she was honest and sincere in what she believes was inappropriate conduct.''

The settlement amount was not in response to any allegations of sexual misconduct. Rather, the amount was agreed upon by both sides to keep Johnson from suing the treasurer's office over what she said was retaliation for complaining to her supervisor.

``You hate to do it, but a settlement was the best alternative,'' Eckstrom said.

He said state officials were confident they would win a lawsuit, but the case could have dragged out two years, costing taxpayers thousands of dollars to argue.

Cromer said the retaliation allegations were strong, but Johnson wants to get on with her life and felt that the settlement vindicated her.

In addition to a $57,500 payment, state officials agreed to remove a poor job appraisal from Johnson's personnel file, Cromer said.