Hyattsville Settles Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

The sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former Hyattsville City Police Department officer has ended in an out-of-court settlement, according to court records. 

The settlement brings to a close six months of proceedings before the US District Court for the District of Maryland which saw Marsha Lessard, who worked as a city police officer from 2005 through 2009, allege a pattern of sexual harassment within the police department during her time there.

Hyattsville officials announced the settlement in a brief statement distributed on Friday afternoon. 

According to the statement, the case was settled "on terms wherein the city admitted no liability for any of the allegations."

Specific details about the settlement were not immediately available. Abby Sandel, director of the Community Services Department and communications manager for the city of Hyattsville, said in an email that the city would not be commenting further on the settlement. 

"As you can imagine, we won't be able to say more than this release contains," wrote Sandel. 

Michael Amster, Lessard's attorney, was on vacation out of the country when city officials announced the settlement. As of this writing, he could not be reached for comment.

According to court records, Amster filed to dismiss the case on Dec. 17 and approved shortly afterward.

Hyattsville Patch has filed a Public Information Act request with the city seeking a copy of the settlement agreement.