Sagle Fire District pays $335K to settle lawsuit

SAGLE — The Sagle Fire District is shelling out more than a quarter million dollars to settle a federal wrongful termination suit filed by former Chief Robert Webber.

Webber’s counsel announced on Tuesday that he will receive $335,000 after being fired for prompting an investigation into claims that a firefighter was being sexually harassed by her superior that ultimately led to the supervisor’s dismissal.

Webber served as the district’s chief from 2010-2014 and several commissioners went on record during the proceedings to say that he was a diligent leader.

Webber noted in 2011 that firefighter Katie Loper had grown isolated from her colleagues and no longer attending meetings or training sessions. Loper disclosed that her superior officer, Jason Cordle, had allegedly been sexually harassing her and had gone so far as to crawl through a dog door of a home to speak with her when she refused to see him.

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