Kern Settles Final Lawsuit Involving Former Probation Chief for $1.2 Million

The County of Kern will shell out $1.2 million to settle a lawsuit involving sexual harassment allegations against the county’s former probation chief David Kuge. The latest settlement is the last of three, with the county having already reached an agreement in two other cases in which Kuge was accused of harassment.

The deal was reached with former senior office services specialist Sandra Stockton, who claims she was retaliated against when she attempted to aid another colleague who was being mistreated by Kuge. The previous settlements amounted to $305,000 and $325,000, but Stockton took her case to a full court trial.

Ventura County Superior Court Judge Vincent J. O’Neil ruled earlier this year that Kuge had sexually harassed his former secretary Lisa Phillips and then harassed Stockton in retaliation for her attempts to help. 

Read more about the settlements here.