Port Allen, La. pays $330,000 to settle two lawsuits

Port Allen paid two former city employees $330,000 to end civil suits over alleged sexual harassment and race discrimination, according to municipal documents released Thursday. Former Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Cenceria Dalcourt and her attorneys — Robert L. Campbell and Dustin G. Flint — received $167,500 of that money, according to records released by City Clerk Audrey McCain. Another $162,500 went to former Assistant Chief Financial Officer Philip Mason and the same two attorneys. On Wednesday night, Mayor Demetric “Deedy” Slaughter told City Council members her proposed $9.7 million budget includes $400,000 to cover several recent settlements of lawsuits. McCain noted Thursday that one of the city’s insurers covered a combined total of $170,000 of the payments to Dalcourt and Mason.