John Minnis and State Settle Sexual Harass Case: Pay Victim $450K

The woman who brought forth allegations of sexual harassment against John Minnis, her boss as director of Oregon's Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, has won a $450,000 settlement against Minnis and the state.

Terms of the settlement, announced today by Bureau of Labor and Industries Commissioner Brad Avakian, call for Minnis to pay $65,000 and the state risk management account to pick up the $385,000 balance.

As part of the settlement, BOLI will drop its case against Minnis, a former Portland Police detective and Republican state senator before he became head of DPSST.

When the woman leveled allegations against Minnis last November, his boss, Gov. Ted Kulongoski, demanded his immediate resignation.

An Attorney General's investigation provided many lurid details but resulted in no criminal charges against Minnis. The episode was an ignominious end to a long public career for Minnis, who is married to former House Speaker Karen Minnis (R-Wood Village).