- Grand County settled with an employee alleging harassment by supervisor Ben Fredregill.
- The settlement includes a year of paid leave and a $25,000 payment.
MOAB — Grand County has settled with an employee who accused her supervisor of harassment and discrimination.
The employee had accused then-Grand County economic development director Ben Fredregill of making multiple offensive comments about her national origin and ethnicity, questioning her political affiliation and even giving her a "safe word" to use in conversations with him if she felt uncomfortable.
Now, the county is paying out a six-figure settlement to resolve the employee's complaint. KSL obtained a copy of the settlement agreement after a lengthy public records fight.
Complaints of harassment
This case began in March 2024 when the employee, whom KSL is not identifying, filed the complaint against Fredregill, who was her direct supervisor.
Grand County launched an investigation through an independent law firm, which found it was "likely the alleged incidents each occurred." However, the investigation also found Fredregill's behavior did not "rise to the level of unlawful harassment or discrimination," and he kept his job.
After that, the employee said she faced retaliation because she was disciplined by the county's human resources director at the time, Renee Baker, for multiple incidents of "insubordination" that allegedly happened during the same time her complaint was being investigated.
The employee appealed the county's decision in April 2024, and during the back and forth, Baker resigned her position as HR director. In an email to department heads and elected officials last year, Baker said she wanted to "embrace new professional challenges."
Meanwhile, the issue went to the Grand County Commission, which met in May 2024 to hear arguments on the employee's appeal. After a few months and two more meetings, Grand County and the employee decided to settle.
What's in the agreement?
Following a public records fight lasting nearly 11 months, KSL obtained a copy of the settlement agreement, which was formalized on Aug. 9, 2024. According to the terms, the employee would be placed on paid leave for one year — which started last August — with full salary and benefits. That amount alone totals nearly $140,000, according to public financial records.
The employee also gets a $25,000 lump-sum payment from Grand County, per the agreement.
Next month, according to the settlement, the employee will leave her position with the county and can't apply for any other job there for 12 months.
KSL reached out to the employee involved, but she has not commented on the situation. Fredregill also didn't respond to a message seeking comment.
Separately, KSL learned Fredregill is no longer employed with Grand County as of July 1. In an automated email sent from his county address, Fredregill gave no reason for his departure.
