Taxpayers will be on the hook for a $100,000 settlement approved by Denver City Council on Monday with a woman firefighter who was secretly recorded by a male colleague in 2019.
Kelli Christensen, a spokesperson for the safety department, said the settlement money was related to a lawsuit involving retired Denver Fire Department lieutenant Daniel Flesner, who was charged in 2019 for recording the woman changing clothes in her room at a firehouse. Denverite does not name victims of sexual harassment or assault without their permission.
CBS4 reported Flesner was convicted last year of criminal invasion of privacy and attempt to commit tampering with physical evidence. He faces two years of probation.
Christensen said the victim still works for the Denver Fire Department. She said DFD has changed some policies in response to the incident, including ensuring a member of the Internal Affairs Bureau will always be on-call and available to respond to employee complaints of sexual harassment.
"DFD leadership has agreed to take a number of steps to ensure female firefighters feel safe and respected and that individuals like Lt. Flesner are held accountable for any harm they may cause," Christensen said.
