Ventura County Settles Sex Suit

Ventura County officials have settled a sexual harassment lawsuit brought nearly two years ago against former Chief Administrative Officer Harry Hufford by a woman who had served as one of his top lieutenants.

After months of talks, the settlement was finalized earlier this month and a $165,000 payment was made to Terry Dryer last week.

Dryer, a 28-year county employee, was one of Hufford’s top assistants when he served as interim county chief from January 2000 to March 2001.

In her lawsuit, Dryer accused Hufford of causing her great psychological stress through numerous sexual overtures and then creating a hostile work environment when those advances were rejected.

She said she was forced to take a disability leave in August 2001 and filed suit against Hufford and the county three months later, seeking $1 million in damages and lost wages.

“We are very pleased with the outcome,” said Donald Adams, Dryer’s lawyer.

Although the settlement releases Hufford and the county from all claims contained in the suit, Adams said Dryer maintains her right to pursue a separate action to seek a disability pension from the county.

Hufford’s lawyers have said that Dryer filed the lawsuit to retaliate against her former boss after he took important work assignments away from her.

They maintained Tuesday that neither Hufford nor the county did anything wrong, but said they decided to settle to avoid the costs and inconvenience of trial.

“In a case like this, in the long run it is to the benefit of county taxpayers to settle the lawsuit because of the cost of trying such a lawsuit,” said Leroy Smith, litigation supervisor for the county counsel’s office.