Portland to settle ‘extreme hazing’ lawsuit for $80,000

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The city of Portland is finalizing an $80,000 settlement to resolve a lawsuit by a former employee who alleged “extreme hazing” by city transportation workers.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that Adam Rawlins said in U.S. District Court that he was subjected to verbal and physical hazing for several months in 2016, including one incident where Rawlins was photographed while bound by zip ties and duct tape inside a city shed.

A consultant later hired by the city found a “don’t snitch” culture within the maintenance operation of the Portland Bureau of Transportation. But city officials said the incident appeared to be isolated.

The proposed settlement heads to the Portland City Council for approval Wednesday. The city’s risk management division found that “there is risk the city may be found liable.”