Monroe Settles Sexual Harassment Suit
Aug 11, 2004 | Gloucester County Times A former secretary to township Mayor Mary Duffy, who has since passed away, has received a $100,000 settlement in a sexual harassment and abuse case against former township administration.Karen Kurek filed the suit against former municipal administrator Peter Brusco, Duffy and the township in 2002, alleging that Brusco had sexually harassed her by grabbing her in the neck and face repeatedly. She included Duffy and Monroe Township Solicitor Charles Fiore in the complaint, alleging that they did not take proper steps in handling her initial complaints against the administrator. Kurek then voluntarily dismissed the claim against Fiore.
The case was settled several weeks ago and Kurek reportedly received the pay-out this week.
Kurek, who served as Mayor Duffy's administrative secretary from 1999 to 2002, ended up on disability, claiming that the stresses of her work environment had caused her psychological trauma.
Meanwhile, Brusco was suspended for a three-week unpaid leave while township officials addressed the issue.
Now, two years later, this is one suit the township can close the lid on.