Apr 25, 2016 1 min read

BELLE VERNON – Rostraver Township has paid $35,000 to settle a sexual discrimination lawsuit filed in Westmoreland County Court in March 2014 by an employee who also named a former commissioner in her complaint.

The settlement terms were obtained under an open records request the Observer-Reporter filed in March when the township approved the “confidential settlement” involving an employee at a public meeting that month without releasing its contents.

Tamira Spedaliere, who works in the township planning department, claimed former commissioner Donald Bottman humiliated her in public and assigned her duties to male employees. Bottman resigned as chairman of the commissioners in May 2014, and he is no longer holding a township office.

The settlement, filed before the court on March 22, settles all claims between Spedaliere and the township, court records show. She is responsible for paying any taxes associated with the $35,000.

The township also denies in the settlement that it violated any federal, state or local laws involving Spedaliere’s case.

“Donald Bottman, in particular, strenuously denies any liability to Spedaliere under any theory of law,” the settlement states.

The settlement also has Spedaliere agreeing to keep the details of the settlement confidential.