By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – The state of Missouri has settled allegations of sexual harassment by a former Agriculture Department worker against former Director Fred Ferrell.
The state has paid out $82,500 to settle the claim filed by Heather Elder.
She accused Ferrell of kissing her, saying he'd like to see her in a wet t-shirt contest, and of not promoting her because of her gender.
Kurt Valentine is General Counsel for the state Agriculture Department.
"Both parties...believe this was a reasonable settlement," Valentine said.
Elder gets $70,000 and the rest will go to her attorney. The money to pay the settlement came out of the state's legal expense fund.
"It's for the payment of attorney's fees or settlements in regard to any actions against someone, a state agency or an individual working for the state," Valentine said.
Ferrell was asked to resign by Governor Blunt earlier this year; days after Elder filed her initial suit.
Elder's attorney did not return calls for comments on this story.