Ford settles sexual harassment lawsuit brought by government on behalf of workers

<br>NORFOLK, Va. (AP) _ Ford Motor Co. settled a lawsuit Wednesday with three women who said they were sexually harassed at a truck assembly plant for nearly three years and claimed the company did nothing

Wednesday, February 13th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) _ Ford Motor Co. settled a lawsuit Wednesday with three women who said they were sexually harassed at a truck assembly plant for nearly three years and claimed the company did nothing about it.

The settlement was announced just before jury selection was to begin in federal court for the lawsuit the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed on behalf of Deidre S. Gutierrez, Tina M. Hampton and Tiffany Simpson.

The three former assembly line workers said they often found used-looking condoms, panties and crude notes at their workstations. They said that Ford did nothing when they reported the problems.

Details of the settlement were not discussed in court, and the women and lawyers for both sides would not comment. The lawyers said details would be contained in a consent decree that is to be filed within 10 days.

The lawsuit did not seek specific damages.

Ford has said it took numerous steps to attempt to identify anyone who may have engaged in inappropriate acts.