Port authority settled suit only to avoid costly trial, Dickten says
VIENNA
Dan Dickten, Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport aviation director, tried to clear his name today regarding a settlement contract the Western Reserve Port Authority signed with a former employee who alleged Dickten sexually harassed her.
“After a very thorough investigation was conducted by the port authority that included both outside and inside counsel, it was concluded there was absolutely no proof that I harassed anyone, including the former employee,” Dickten said, reading from a prepared statement.
“I can assure you, I did not, nor have I ever, harassed anyone,” Dickten said during Wednesday’s regular port authority meeting, held at Squaw Creek Country Club. The port authority runs the airport and its economic-development arm, the Northeast Ohio Development and Finance Authority.
Dickten’s statement also said the reason the port authority settled for $40,000 with former administrative assistant Lauren Iaderosa was because it would have cost the authority “upwards of $250,000 to win in court.”
Read more about the situation in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.