Lafayette  College in Easton, Pa.,  has agreed to pay $1,000,000 and furnish significant remedial  relief to settle a federal sexual harassment lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal  Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

The EEOC  charged in its lawsuit that the college’s supervisor in charge of “loss  prevention” engaged in repeated and unwelcome sexual harassment of five women  in the public safety department. The  supervisor’s abusive treatment included groping female employees and forcibly  kissing them; making lewd comments and gestures regarding sexual activities he wanted  to perform on them; displaying or e-mailing pornography and sexually explicit  materials; and making other crude sexual remarks. One employee was forced to quit because of  the unrelenting harassment, the EEOC said.

Sexual  harassment violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC  attempted to reach a voluntary settlement prior to filing suit in U.S. District  Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (Civil Action No. 08-CV-4709).

“No one should have to endure the abuse these  women faced at work,” said EEOC Chair Jacqueline A. Berrien. “This significant settlement shows that the  EEOC will insist on meaningful relief for workers who are victims of  harassment.”

In addition to  the $1 million in monetary relief to the five class members, the two-year  consent decree settling the case also provides substantial equitable relief,  including enjoining Lafayette from engaging in sexual harassment or retaliation. The college will provide annual training for  all managers and supervisors and post a notice regarding the settlement. Lafayette  did not admit liability in the consent decree, which was approved by U.S.  District Court Judge Thomas M. Golden on April 22, 2010.