A former police officer and her attorney will share $135,000 and she will receive other compensation for settling a 2008 gender discrimination and retaliation lawsuit against New Kensington, parties for both sides confirmed Tuesday.

Traci Matthews King, who had a Harrison address when she filed suit in federal court, signed the agreement to end a grievance about her July 2008 firing.

The agreement calls for King's city personnel file to be amended to say she voluntarily left employment on July 14, 2008. It stipulates any job references "shall be either positive or neutral" and likely will simply give her date of hire and jobs held.

Police, city officials and King's attorney still refuse to say why King was let go after she was suspended without pay for about four months.

She had been a New Kensington patrol officer for about 16 years. At the time, King was one of two female officers on the force of about 24 officers. Experienced officers at the time were being paid about $60,000 annually, city officials said in previous interviews.

Attorney Brian Gabriel, who represented the city and several officials including the mayor and police chief, said the agreement "made economic sense" because the city's former insurance carrier finally agreed to pay $125,000 of the $135,000 and another carrier will pay $10,000.

After months of mediation, the agreement was reached in principle last October, but the main city insurance carrier was refusing to pay, he said.

King was represented by attorney Jon Pushinsky. He admitted King wanted more money, but declined to be specific.

Both sides agreed "not to make any disparaging or defamatory remarks" about each other.

In the agreement, New Kensington agrees to withdraw objections to King's application for unemployment compensation, and to pay her for 17 accumulated sick leave days.

King is seeking worker's compensation for injury to her hip.

The agreement was signed by King, the attorneys, current Mayor Tom Guzzo, former Mayor Frank Link and retired police Chief Charles F. Korman.

City Clerk Dennis Scarpiniti declined comment.

Additional Information:

Settlement terms

Terms of a settlement were released Tuesday between former New Kensington police officer Traci Matthews King and New Kensington. Among the terms:

• King and her attorney will share $135,000 in exchange for dropping her federal lawsuits.

• King's personnel record will now show she voluntarily resigned.

• She will be paid for 17 personal days.

• The city won't fight her application for worker's compensation.

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