$165K claim is paid by town; Office computer porn alleged.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

Byline: Aaron Nicodemus

SUTTON - The town's insurance carrier has agreed to pay $165,000 to settle a sexual harassment claim filed by former town employee Mary Labrie.

Ms. Labrie, of Millbury, sued the town of Sutton and former Town Administrator Joshua A. Handverger in April 2007 in Worcester Superior Court. In her lawsuit, Ms. Labrie alleged that Mr. Handverger created a hostile work environment for her after she saw pornography on his office computer during a meeting in his office in June 2006. After telling another co-worker about the pornography, Ms. Labrie claimed Mr. Handverger ordered her to say the incident never happened and to apologize to others for spreading a rumor about pornography on his office computer. She said Mr. Handverger offered her a management promotion if she would cooperate, but she declined.

Ms. Labrie took a leave of absence from her jobs with the town in July 2006, "due to the emotional distress of Mr. Handverger's actions," the lawsuit said. She never returned to work, although the town offered to allow her to return. She declined the job, saying she did not want to return as long as Mr. Handverger was still employed with the town. She had been employed as the town's human resources coordinator and assistant town accountant.

Mr. Handverger's contract with the town was not renewed by the Board of Selectmen after less than a year on job, and he left the job in March 2007.

In the settlement, the town and Mr...