A federal lawsuit

filed by a former Fayetteville employee has been resolved in the city's

favor, wrapping up more than two years of litigation.

According to

a press release issued by the city, U.S. District Judge Jack T. Camp "issued

an order granting summary judgment in favor of the city on all counts

of former city employee Sherri Anderson's complaint. The order for Summary

Judgment was pursuant to various claims filed by Ms. Anderson on October

6, 2000."

"The city

is very pleased with this decision," said Mayor Kenneth Steele. "We

never believed that there was any validity to these counts and it is unfortunate

that we had to expend taxpayer funds to defend charges that were unfounded

in our opinion. This decision should bring closure to this issue."

Anderson, the

city's former Main Street director, filed a complaint with the city in

January of that year accusing city manager Michael Bryant of creating

a hostile work environment. Accounting clerk Amanda Jones filed a similar

letter with the city at the same time.

Among the allegations

are charges that Bryant frequently invited Anderson and Jones to go out

socially after work hours and, in Anderson's case, retaliated by humiliating

her and attempting to get her to resign when she declined his invitations.

The women also accused Bryant of making sexually loaded comments.

Bryant was

later suspended and ultimately left his position after reaching a separation

agreement with the City Council. Anderson publicly expressed her displeasure

with the city's decision and offered to forego litigation against the

city for a $125,000 out-of-court settlement. The city declined her request

for a settlement.

Steele said

at the time that Bryant's resignation following a month-long city investigation

of her complaint "fully resolves the issues."