Intro: The state will audit the agriculture department after learning of a confidential settlement offered to the secretary of former agriculture director, Fred Ferrell. Kevin Gehl (GALE) spoke with State Audtor Susan Montee at the state capitol.
State Auditor Susan Montee said that the agriculture department will be audited following the dismissal of agriculture director Fred Ferrell, who faces sexual harassment allegations. A former secretary within the department claims she denied a settlement of $70,000 from the state to silence her sexual harassment claims against Ferrel.
Montee says the proposed settlement raised fiscal concerns addressed in her recent campaign.
From the State Capitol, I'm Kevin Gehl.
Intro: State Auditor Susan Montee will audit the agriculture department after learning of a confidential state settlement offered to a former secretary within the department. Kevin Gehl (GALE) spoke with Montee at the state capitol. Only days after the dismissal of director Fred Ferrell, the state agriculture department earned a full audit from State Auditor Susan Montee.
The audit stems from a $70,000 settlement offered to a former female secretary in the agriculture department who accused Ferrell of sexual harassment.
From the state capitol, I'm Kevin Gehl.
Actuality: MONTEE2.WAV
Run Time: 00:10
Description: Montee says the proposed settlement raised fiscal concerns addressed in her recent campaign.
This will be the first agriculture department audit since 1999.
Actuality: MONTEE1.WAV
Run Time: 00:17
Description: Montee says the settlement offer deserves a thorough investigation.
The secretary first complained in May of 2006 and claims she was offered the settlement by the state to keep her allegations private.
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