Harass suit against ex-Dem. leader Burton settled

SAN FRANCISCO – The attorney for a woman who filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against former state Senate leader John Burton says both sides have reached a settlement. The suit was brought by the director of Burton's charitable foundation for homeless children. Kathleen Driscoll filed the lawsuit in January, claiming Burton made inappropriate sexual advances and humiliated Driscoll with sexual comments. Driscoll's attorney, Kelly Armstrong, said Monday she could not comment on the confidential settlement. Burton's attorney, Susan Rubenstein, did not immediately return messages seeking comment. But she has said that Burton denied any wrongdoing. Burton, a San Francisco Democrat, spent 26 years in the Legislature, serving as Senate president pro tem from 1998 until term limits forced him out of office in January 2005.... [read full story]