HANFORD, Calif. — Kings County will pay $1.9 million to a former employee who alleged she was sexually harassed and retaliated against by former District Attorney Keith Fagundes. A jury reached the verdict in favor of Alexandria Smith, who served as a secretary in the District Attorney’s Office.
Fagundes, who held the district attorney position for two terms, lost his reelection bid to current District Attorney Sarah Hacker in 2022. During his tenure, he faced previous sexual harassment allegations from Robert Waggle, a former investigator in his office. Those claims were settled for $1.1 million, underscoring a troubling pattern within the office.
In her lawsuit, Smith claimed that Kings County failed to act on her reports of harassment and retaliation by Fagundes. Her case highlighted several disturbing instances of inappropriate behavior. Testifying in court, she recounted an incident in 2020 when Fagundes made an offensive comment regarding a tennis trophy outside his office. Smith also detailed other inappropriate conversations that included references to sexual anatomy and personal matters.
Smith alleged that Fagundes frequently inquired about her sex life. In one notable detail, she stated that he boasted that his own relationships improved when Waggle, who was living in a property owned by Fagundes, was around. This dynamic further exacerbated the problematic workplace environment.
After the jury’s decision, Smith expressed her hope to resume her position with the county soon. Kings County attorney James Arendt indicated that the county is still deliberating whether to appeal the verdict. He raised questions about the financial implications, specifically how much of the settlement will be covered by the county versus insurance.
The large settlement reflects serious concerns about workplace harassment and the responsibilities of public institutions to address such allegations. As the county navigates this legal and reputational challenge, the case serves as a reminder of the ongoing issues surrounding sexual harassment in the workplace.
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