The wrongful termination lawsuit filed by former LGBT Pride executive director, Ron deHarte has been quietly settled out of court, with the amount and terms undisclosed.
“I’m pleased with the outcome. I’m not permitted to talk about the settlement,” said deHarte Monday. “I’m not permitted to talk about the case at all.”
DeHarte was fired by the LGBT Pride board of directors Jan. 5, 2010, after serving as director for four years. It occurred after he learned about a $5,000 payment approved by three board members to Dr. Philip Princetta, who had been on the board since 2002.
There was no criminal wrongdoing, but deHarte pointed out that the Pride bylaws prohibited board members from receiving payment. The three directors said they wanted to honor Princetta for all the work he had done on behalf of parades all these years.
DeHarte insisted that Princetta repay the money and resign. DeHarte was later fired, and Princetta paid back the $5,000 and also resigned in 2010. The two others on the board who voted for the $5,000 payment also resigned.
Messages were left Monday with attorneys for Pride and deHarte’s lawyers, but they could not be reached for comment.
The lawsuit was filed May 27, 2010, in San Diego Superior Court, and depositions had been held for some witnesses. A trial date of Oct. 28 had been set.
DeHarte’s attorney, Nathan Bettenhausen filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, stating the suit had been settled, and a judge dismissed it Oct. 13, according to the lawsuit’s second volume in court records.
DeHarte is now the executive vice president of Palm Springs Pride.
