Company Will Pay In Harassment Case

A cosmetics company whose chief executive allegedly screamed obscenities and occasionally fondled at least 15 female assistants agreed to pay $1,185,000 in the largest sexual harassment settlement ever negotiated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Dan K. Wassong, 65, the chairman, chief executive and president of Del Laboratories Inc. of Farmingdale, N.Y., allegedly touched some women’s breasts and buttocks, asked for oral sex, conducted business with his pants zipper open, urinated with his bathroom door open and unleashed a daily barrage of insults and sexual remarks.

Despite the settlement announced Thursday, which includes money for the women and a training program on avoiding sexual harassment for Wassong and his 1,600 employees, an attorney for Del Laboratories denied all of the women’s allegations and said Wassong is likely to remain in charge of the Long Island firm. During his 20 years as president, he increased the company’s revenue 730 percent to $190 million.

A spokeswoman for the company said Wassong and the company’s directors would not be available to comment on the case.

EEOC officials and Wassong’s former assistants hailed the settlement as a victory for anti-harassment laws and an invitation to action by women who have been afraid of accusing powerful bosses.

Patricia Ireland, president of the National Organization for Women, noted that the company makes cosmetics bought by women who will see reports of the case, and that forcing the company to toughen its rules against harassment “will have a ripple effect.”

Del’s products include Sally Hansen Cosmetics, Hard as Nails, Hand Therapy and Lip Quencher.