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Ex-jailer’s lawsuit against Hall County reaches settlement

lawsuit-settlementGRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — The Hall County Board of Supervisors has approved a nearly $75,000 settlement with a former county corrections department employee whose lawsuit accused jail managers of sexual harassment and unfair treatment of female employees.

A lawsuit was filed on behalf of Sgt. Debb Rea in May saying her civil rights were violated by former corrections director Fred Ruiz and assistant director Jimmy Vann. According to the lawsuit, female employees were subjected to harsher discipline and referred to in an offensive manner.

Ruiz and Vann were fired by the board in August 2015 after Rea sent a letter to the board outlining her concerns and the county hired an attorney to investigate the jail.

Hall County Attorney Jack Zitterkopf says the settlement includes a non-admission clause, meaning Ruiz and Vann don’t admit any wrongdoing.

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