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New Mexico's Largest County Settles For $570,000 With Former Employee

Bernalillo County will pay $570,000 to settle a lawsuit involving a former attorney and spokeswoman for the sheriff's office.  Jennifer Vega Brown sued in county in October 2012. She alleged she was retaliated against after raising concerns about discrimination and sexual harassment against Hispanic women in the sheriff's office.  The county admits no liability in the settlement, which is a combination of two lawsuits that Vega Brown filed.

The first claimed violations of the state Whistleblower Protection Act, defamation of character, retaliatory discharge and breach of contract.

The second lawsuit came when the county didn't give up what Vega Brown's attorneys said were public documents.

A judge last November ordered the county to pay almost $140,000 for failing to provide the public records quickly.

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Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.