The office of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro settled a former employee's claim she was sexually harassed by a senior aide earlier this year by agreeing to pay her and her lawyers $295,000, according to documents released by the administration late Friday under the state's open records law.
The settlement, finalized in early September, stems from allegations made by the woman against Mike Vereb, who served as Shapiro's secretary of legislative affairs until his resignation last month. The woman, who started in her role around when Shapiro took office in January, wrote in a complaint earlier this year that Vereb made lewd and misogynistic remarks and that she was retaliated against when she spoke up.
Her attorney, Chuck Pascal, confirmed the settlement, which provided $196,365 to the woman and more than $49,000 to both law firms she had hired to represent her through this process. He declined further comment.
A spokesperson for the governor declined further comment due to the terms of the settlement, but said "complainants and defendants often settle litigation for reasons not related to the validity of the underlying facts and claims."
As part of the settlement, the governor's office agreed to provide sexual harassment training to all members of Policy and Legislative Affairs staff.
The woman can also seek employment elsewhere in state government, and as a contractor, or with a future administration. She cannot be the lead contact for any contract work with the current...
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