MADISON, Wis. -- The University of Wisconsin-Madison paid nearly $20,000 to settle allegations that managers retaliated against an employee who complained about the sexual harassment of a colleague.

The university paid power plant employee William Black $9,000 in damages and $10,500 in attorney's fees and allowed him to retire under the settlement last July.

In exchange, Black agreed to drop his complaint that he was repeatedly disciplined after reporting the sexual harassment of colleague Amy Gabel to his supervisors.

Gabel, 32, claims in a federal lawsuit filed last month that she faced constant harassment and unfavorable work conditions as the only female employee at the Walnut Street Heating Plant.

She claims that she was asked to sleep with the plant superintendent, forced to endure demeaning conduct from co-workers and was disciplined after she complained. E-mails back up aspects of her case.

The university continues to deny any retaliation took place.