Council Refuses to OK Harassment Suit Settlement

The City Council in closed session refused to approve a $75,000 settlement in a lawsuit filed by the former executive secretary of the Rose Bowl general manager, even though both parties agreed to the terms, officials said Tuesday.

In a suit filed last year, Jane Orr contended that Rose Bowl General Manager David Jacobs sexually harassed her. Jacobs was suspended for a few days by a city hearing officer for violating city rules on workplace behavior.

Maintaining that he had done nothing wrong, Jacobs said the council decision Monday night took him by surprise. Last week, his attorney, Skip Miller, said a clause in the settlement “exonerates Dave Jacobs and the city of Pasadena of sexual harassment.”

However, council members refused to agree to a term of the settlement that calls for Orr to continue to work for the city, although not at City Hall or the Rose Bowl. A counteroffer had been made by the council to Orr’s attorney, officials said.

Orr alleged that Jacobs told off-color jokes, made her sit on his lap and patted her buttocks. In depositions, two other female Rose Bowl employees supported Orr’s allegations.

Jacobs said other depositions show he did nothing wrong.