Nevada- University of Nevada, Reno officials agreed Thursday to award a campus employee $235,315 in damages for the violation of his First Amendment rights, pay his attorney fees and end further appeals of a Reno jury's verdict earlier this year.
Charles Stricker Jr., a former UNR locksmith who now works in the campus perimeter security department, sued his supervisors at the university and in June was awarded $209,215 in damages -- twice the amount his lawyer requested.
The federal court jury found Stricker's former boss, Rick Favre, retaliated against him after Stricker complained about pornographic pictures in the workplace. The pornography included photos and computer screen-savers, witnesses testified.
In an unusual move, the jury also issued a statement that the university showed "gross disregard" for its own policies, taxpayers' money and Stricker's civil rights. The university lost a bid for a new trial in August, then appealed the verdict to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.
Jeff Dickerson, Stricker's lawyer, and UNR officials said Thursday they agreed to decline to comment as part of the settlement.
Stricker couldn't be reached for comment late Thursday but in June called the jury's verdict "a total vindication" of his claims against his former supervisor and UNR officials.
Stricker's case is one of about two dozen pending state and federal lawsuits filed against UNR, its administrators and its employees during the past four years. The lawsuits, filed by faculty members, students and campus workers, allege violations of civil rights, defamation of character and First Amendment violations.
University officials Thursday didn't say which university financial account will absorb the $235,000 payment to Stricker.
Months ago, the Reno Gazette-Journal asked UNR officials where the money paid to settle UNR's previous legal settlements originated. The state tort claims fund -- which pays liability claims for state agencies -- can't account for all the money paid out in settlements since 1997. To date, UNR officials haven't responded to that question.
