KPLC Receives Rejected Agreement to Settlement Harassment Complaints of Oakdale Mayor

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – Oakdale Mayor Gene Paul has rejected an agreement to settle a sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuit brought against him.

The agreement went so far as to be printed on City of Oakdale letterhead and signed by the complainant, City Human Resources Representative Charlotte Berzas and Administrative Assistant Allison Doyle.

Doyle said the agreement was not proposed by the mayor or the city, but was printed at the request of the applicant, who agreed to waive it. her complaints if she was transferred from part-time to full-time with benefits for time off and maternity leave.

According to Doyle, Mayor Paul did not agree to these terms.

Neither Paul nor any other Oakdale employee signed the document on the lines provided for their signatures.

Jack Whitehead, a Baton Rouge attorney representing the employee, says her complaints were filed with the Louisiana Human Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.

“Unfortunately, Mayor Gene Paul is now choosing to bury his head in the sand after being called out,” Whitehead wrote. “Oakdale City Council finds itself in an unenviable position through no fault of its own. We hope the ruling resolves this matter in the best interests of the citizens of Oakdale and (my client).”

Whitehead also represents another city employee who has filed active complaints against Mayor Paul, including allegations of a hostile work environment.

In October, Paul called the allegations false and said he would cooperate with investigators looking into similar cases.