The former deputy city manager from Mercer Island, Washington, is getting a hefty settlement from the city after she sued for sexual harassment and retaliation. The city has agreed to pay her $1 million to end the feud.

The woman says she was a victim of sexual harassment and was ultimately fired in 2008 by the cit y manager for objecting to the handling of an unrelated disciplinary matter. According to the Seattle Times, the lawsuit claimed that city employees, including a city council member, commented on her body and made inappropriate remarks.

City employees also apparently made off-color jokes, both in public and over email. The lawsuit also reportedly details a separate settlement of a different employee, who had claimed she was harassed by the city manager back in 2002.

The deputy city manager was initially hired as a city attorney in 2000. She was promoted sometime later. As part of the settlement, she will be able to use a reference letter written by the manager who fired her, noting that she achieved high performance ratings and would be a "valuable asset" to a future employer, according to the Times.

She will also be able to say she resigned her position, rather than being terminated, and the city will also apparently hire a firm to help her find a new job. According to reports, the woman says she is looking forward to a new position, and to find something fulfilling in management or municipal law.

Not surprisingly, the mayor, who was listed as a defendant, was not happy about the settlement.

Source: Seattle Times, "Former Mercer Island official settles harassment suit for $1M," Keith Ervin, 18 July 2011