Local News in Brief : Assessor, Worker Settle

A dispute between Los Angeles County Assessor John J. Lynch and an employee who had accused Lynch of assaulting him last fall during a confrontation at the Hall of Administration was tentatively settled Monday.

Frank Dominguez, a 15-year employee of the assessor’s office and a director of Local 660 of the Service Employees International Union, had alleged that Lynch “physically assaulted” him last October by angrily grabbing his arm during a heated dispute over Dominguez’s union activities.

Lynch denied the accusation, but Dominguez filed a complaint with the county Civil Service Commission. Several sessions had been held before Monday’s tentative settlement.

Robert Knowles, a Lynch spokesman, said the agreement affects only the complaint before the commission and does not involve any monetary damages. The settlement, in which neither side admits any guilt, also protects Dominguez from county reprisals. The agreement is expected to be finalized by May 5, according to the tentative pact.