ORNGE has settled a lawsuit with a former executive who claimed she was bullied and sexually harassed by the founder of the provincial air ambulance service.
By: Kevin Donovan Staff Reporter, Published on Tue Dec 11 2012
ORNGE has settled a lawsuit with a former executive who claimed she was bullied and sexually harassed by the founder of the provincial air ambulance service.
In a wrongful dismissal suit, ORNGE’s former government relations director Lisa Kirbie had accused Dr. Chris Mazza of being a bully, a misogynist, a racist and a sexist. Her lawsuit was against ORNGE, not Mazza, but in her lengthy statement of claim she described numerous recollections of what she described as extremely poor behaviour by Mazza. Through his lawyer, Mazza vigorously denied all allegations.
Tuesday, ORNGE spokesman James MacDonald issued a brief statement saying “the matter has been resolved between the parties.”
Kirbie initially asked for about $300,000 from ORNGE, made up of one year’s salary, damages and benefits covering a 20-month period. MacDonald said the terms of the settlement are confidential and Kirbie’s lawyer, David Shiller, said this was done at ORNGE’s request. However, he said “Lisa is satisfied and happy with what she achieved.”
Initially, after she was terminated, Kirbie had been offered a package but rejected it. After those talks broke down earlier this year, Kirbie filed a lawsuit. Shortly after that, the Star received an anonymous email suggesting a reporter search the civil database for her claim.
Kirbie’s suit also described the controversial multi-million dollar payment by an Italian helicopter firm to Mazza’s for-profit company as a “kickback” and she said two ORNGE executives, unnamed in her suit, told her people would “go to jail” if it was discovered.
Meanwhile, the Ontario Provincial Police are continuing to investigate ORNGE’s wheelings and dealings in the few years prior to new management being installed early in 2012, a move prompted by revelations in the Star.
The suit raised eyebrows in political circles.
Kirbie’s partner is Liberal strategist Warren Kinsella and in her suit, Kirbie claimed Mazza took her aside and said she had to learn how to “tame” him, just as she had done her partner.
“(If you) can tame that lion, you can tame this one,” Mazza said, according to Kirbie.
Mazza’s lawyer said all of Kirbie’s allegations involving his client were “without merit.”