Former KUTV reporter Jennifer Skiff's sex discrimination suit against the Salt Lake station has been settled out of court.
In August 1988, Skiff sued the channel, charging sex discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment and slander. The action claimed male reporters at KUTV doing similar job earned higher wages than she, and that the male reporter hired after her began working at higher pay.The suit asserted that "a senior male reporter asked Skiff why she didn't wear lower-cut blouses" and cited other instances of claimed sexual harassment. It claimed she was fired after Skiff brought discrimination to the attention of the station's lawyer.
Last month, U.S. District Judge David Sam dismissed claims of illegal termination, slander, breach of contract and interference with prospective employment. The claims of sex discrimination and unfair pay were to be tried starting Oct. 23.
But as that date approached, the hearing was postponed indefinitely. A notice in federal court said that a settlement conference was taking place.
Sam has now dismissed the case. He wrote that this was done upon the stipulation of both sides, and that "each party (is) to bear her, his or its own costs and attorney's fees."
Whether any money is to change hands is not specified in the court order.