Packing house to pay $525K to settle sexual harassment case

QUINCY, Wash. — A Grant County vegetable-packing house will pay $525,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging a supervisor groped, propositioned and retaliated against female workers.

The Seattle Times reports State Attorney General Bob Ferguson says the settlement announced Thursday with Quincy-based Horning Brothers is believed to be the largest civil-rights resolution for the state in Washington history.

The suit named Horning and a supervisor as defendants.

The initial complaint says allegations the supervisor included "requiring or attempting to require that employees have sex with him" to keep their jobs. The suit alleged that Cruz discharged those who opposed his unfair practices.

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A judge ruled that Horning Brothers had an ineffective discrimination policy and did not act promptly after being notified about alleged harassment by a worker.

The settlement prohibits the supervisor working again in an oversight position at Horning Brothers.

Associated Press