From the Grand Rapids, Mich.,
Herald-Review:
Itasca County employee Mark Danielson will receive $50,000 of the $150,000 he sought in a federal discrimination lawsuit he filed against the county this spring. The settlement was approved by the county board on Sept. 23.
Diagnosed with a mental/learning disability since childhood, Danielson alleged harassment by 11 people, including law enforcement officers and other county employees.
Filing his case under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Danielson claimed the individuals created a hostile and offensive work environment based on his ability and testified that the offensive behavior included disgusting and lewd gestures and remarks as well as false allegations and insinuations about his sexual orientation.
According to Danielson’s complaint, the incidents occurred between June 2004 and March 2006. Several of the allegations included county employees or law enforcement making reference to Danielson as being gay, including sexually explicit actions, questions, and a voice mail message left on Danielson’s home phone.
