The State - News from Oct. 30, 1986

Westamerica Bank has settled a sex discrimination and harassment suit by five former woman employees for a reported $1.4 million. The civil suit was filed in July, 1985, and listed several allegations against many of the Marin County bank’s top officials. At the time, the bank “categorically” denied the charges. Attorneys for both sides declined to discuss details of the settlement. It was the latest event to rock the bank; former bank Vice President L. Arthur Byrd was convicted last spring after admitting he drowned a teen-age prostitute in a bathtub while acting out a bizarre sexual fantasy. He is now serving a 15-year term at 1181707379murder.