The Chicago Park District had to pay over $1.9 million in legal settlements, to three lifeguards who previously worked there. The three lifeguards claimed they experienced sexual misconduct and hazing from supervisors at public beaches. That most likely won’t be the end of that incident. In 2021, a scandal was revealed by WBEZ about charges against two male lifeguards and promises of reforms. A fourth female, who used to be a lifeguard, filed a lawsuit against the park district. The organization’s previous CEO was convicted of sex crimes last year 2022. The suit is still awaiting action in Cook County Circuit Court.
The board approved the settlements that were made without having to reveal that the case was about sexual misconduct. The board also didn’t want to reveal the amount of money that was used to solve the cases. Two of the cases were settled out of court. The lawyers of the previous lifeguards threatened to sue because of sexual abuse against their clients, according to some park district documents. The three settlements have a clause that stops the previous lifeguards from degrading the park district.
A settlement was given to a woman who claimed she was exploited by the Humboldt Park manager. The manager whose name is Mauricio Ramirez pleaded guilty to the sexual abuse of two minor subordinates. A second woman also filed a lawsuit against three supervisors at Oak Street Beach in 2021. She claimed that her bosses bullied and touched her inappropriately without her consent. She received $350,000.
The Aftermath
Oak Street Beach staff members have sung a fight song that was titled “ Sexual Harassment Saturdays.“ The
staff members buried the lifeguards in the sand against their will. They would make them sit on a boat in a lake and stay in the sun for hours, the lawsuit stated. The park district paid $977,250 to a woman because her attorney was going for $2.5 million.
Her attorney was going for $2.5 million so they wouldn’t have to go to court. This lawyer also stated that her client experienced sexual abuse from Ramirez.
The money was given quietly so no one knows anything. The money was given that way because the board district agreed to this tactic so the public doesn’t know that the case was about sexual misconduct. The chief, Katie Ellis, stated that state law doesn’t require officials to make known anything but the case name and number during a public meeting.
The CEO
The lawsuit pending in Cook County court puts blame on the park officials and Kelly for what happened to the female lifeguards. The suit was filed on June 9, 2023. The suit is saying that park officials allowed and covered up the sexual abuse that happened to the female lifeguards.
Ramirez was older than the age 30 years old when did the wrongful things he did to other lifeguards. Ramirez sexually exploited an anonymous individual at Humboldt Park. The individual who was anonymous was a minor.
The minor’s attorney accused park officials and Kelly of being careless for the safety of their employees. And he accused them of being careless towards Jane Doe. In 2022, when was Ramirez was sentence he stated he wanted to apologize to the individuals he hurt.
Written by Markita Thomas
Source :
PiPa News: Chicago Park district pays former guard life guard more than 1.9 million
Chicago Sun Times: Chicago Park District pays nearly $2 million settlement to former lifeguards alleging misconduct, hazing
Patch: Chicago Parks Lifeguards Get $2M In Sexual Misconduct Payouts : Report
Inset Image Courtesy of Victor Carreon Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Featured Image Courtesy of yrjo jyske Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
