City finalizing settlement in Felix Arroyo's sexual harassment lawsuit

Attorneys said they have reached a tentative settlement in the sexual harassment lawsuit against the city of Boston and former city health chief Felix Arroyo brought by a former female employee.

The case involves allegations in a 2018 lawsuit that Arroyo harassed a woman who worked for him in the city’s Office of Health and Human Services and pressured her into a sexual relationship.

The city is "in the process of finalizing a mutually agreeable settlement” with the woman, a city spokesperson said in a statement. The settlement announcement comes days after the start of the trial, which was expected to last about two weeks.

The woman claimed Arroyo retaliated against her after she ended their sexual relationship, by creating a hostile work environment. She also claimed the city demoted her and transferred her to a different department after reporting the alleged sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior. Arroyo denied all the claims.

Arroyo was fired from his cabinet position in 2017 by former Mayor Marty Walsh, following an internal investigation. Walsh had been expected to testify in court.

Felix Arroyo's brother, former Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo, also faced some controversy as a result of the lawsuit. Riccardo Arroyo was required to pay a $3,000 fine for violating state conflict of interest laws for providing legal representation to Felix even after being elected as a city councilor.