Former worker settles discrimination suit against York County Sheriff’s Office
A lawsuit filed against the Sheriff’s Office by a former worker in the DNA lab has been settled and dismissed, court documents show.
Lawyers for Crystal Kissel advised federal court Judge Sherri Lydon Tuesday that the case had been settled, federal court documents show. Lydon ordered the case dismissed later in the day.
However, the terms of the settlement between Kissel and the sheriff’s office are not finalized, according to federal court filings. If the settlement is not finalized within 60 days, either Kissel or the sheriff’s office can petition to have the case reopened, according to Judge Lydon’s order.
Sheriff Kevin Tolson confirmed that he was told the case had been settled but declined further comment because of the pending details.
The dismissal order by Judge Lydon makes no reference to any wrongdoing or liability by the sheriff’s office.
The lawsuit had alleged sex discrimination and mishandling of evidence.
Tolson denied all the claims made by Kissel when she filed the lawsuit. He stated, after the suit had been filed in 2018, that there was no discrimination against Kissel or any validity to her claims.
Efforts to reach Kissel’s lawyers and attorneys for the sheriff’s office were unsuccessful Wednesday.
The Herald first reported the lawsuit in 2018.
Kissel claimed in the lawsuit she resigned in 2017 because she would have otherwise been fired. Kissel claimed in the lawsuit that she had voiced concerns about handling of cases and being a victim of sex and age discrimination.
The lawsuit stated Kissel had been targeted by several employees and “retaliated against” because she refused to do lab DNA testing that would have violated a suspect’s right to a fair trial. The lawsuit also said she was targeted after complaining about the office “altering” the case file. Kissel claimed in the lawsuit her phone was tapped and calls that were recorded were used against her.
Kissel, technical leader at the lab from 2011 until she resigned, also claimed in the lawsuit that male employees were treated more favorably.
For more than a year, there were depositions and other legal filings in the case until the case was settled Monday, court filings show.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
