WARREN — A settlement in a lawsuit filed against Trumbull County Commissioner Michelle “Niki” Frenchko and the commissioners has been reached and is expected to be dismissed without prejudice, according to a court filing signed by U.S. District Judge Benita Y. Pearson.

No details about the settlement were on the court’s docket.

“On or before June 23, the parties shall submit an executed stipulation of dismissal, which, if approved, will eliminate the need for further court action, according to the court website.

Dawn G. Gedeon on Oct. 19 filed a lawsuit against the commissioners citing discrimination, defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Gedeon claimed to have experienced desperate treatment in the workplace, after Frenchko became a commissioner.

The alleged mistreatment was in the form of derogatory and discriminatory comments made via social media and in the workplace. Gedeon claims to have suffered emotional distress because of Frenchko’s intentional misconduct toward her in the form of mental abuse and creating a hostile work environment to force her to resign.

The suit alleges Frenchko used derogatory comments against Italian American employees, such as “Henchmen,” “minions,” “hacks,” “flying monkeys,” “greasy” and “sausage makers.”

Gedeon’s attorney argued that Frenchko alleged defamatory comments were made during a radio interview and through social media.

Although Frenchko denied the defamatory nature of the comments, she, according to the court document, did not deny they were made in public forums.

“Plaintiff may find Commissioner Frenchko’s statements unflattering, but she cannot prove them false or defamatory,” the court document stated.

rsmith@tribtoday.com