Cecil the lion killer Walter Palmer accused of sexual harassment by former employee

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Dr. Walter Palmer accused by former employee who worked for Minneapolis dentist from 1999 to 2005
Complaint made claims married father of two was asked to stop behavior
However, the unwanted conduct continued and Dr. Palmer paid out in 2009
He was also required to complete a course in ethics after the settlement
Dr. Palmer has faced an unprecedented barrage of criticism since he killed Cecil the lion in early July
Has gone into hiding and closed his dental practice in Bloomington

Published: 13:49 EST, 29 July 2015 | Updated: 17:40 EST, 29 July 2015

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Accused: Dr. Walter Palmer was accused of sexual harassment by a former employee and settled out of court and the Minnesota Board of Dentistry ruled the claim dismissed in 2009

Dr. Walter Palmer, the Minnesota dentist who has achieved worldwide notoriety for killing the most famous lion in Africa paid out $127,500 in 2009 to settle a sexual harassment claim, it was revealed today.

The settlement was made to a former employee at his Minneapolis practice who alleged that Dr. Palmer subjected her to 'ongoing and unwelcome sexual harassment by, but not limited to, verbal comments and physical conduct involving her breasts, buttocks and genitalia'.

The woman alleged that Dr. Palmer, who has gone into hiding since he slaughtered Cecil the lion, was asked to stop his behavior, but continued. Her complaint also alleges she also lost her job because she reported his alleged untoward conduct.

According to the claim filed with the Minnesota Board of Dentistry, the employee worked for Dr.Palmer from 1999 to January 2005 and also had dental procedures performed on her by the married father of two.

Dr. Palmer said that he settled financially to 'conclude the matter quickly and efficiently' and it did not amount to any admission of wrongdoing.

The Minnesota Board of Dentistry in reply ruled that the complaint was officially dismissed and Dr. Palmer was required to complete a course in ethics.

This unwelcome revelation about his life follows an unprecedented online and social media backlash against the dentist-hunter for his role in the death of Cecil.

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River Bluff Dental: Dr. Walter Palmer is the sole practitioner at this surgery in Bloomington, Minneapolis. It has been closed since the intense criticism he has been subject to online and on social media since he admitted to killing Cecil the lion earlier in July on a hunt in Zimbabwe. It is not known if Dr. Palmer was working at River Bluff at the time of the complaint in 2005

Peaceful: People gather at River Bluff Dental clinic in protest against the killing of Cecil the lion outside the dental surgery of Dr. Walter Palmer

Stop: Kaitlin Fuller (center) and daughter Autumn, 10, join others gathered at River Bluff Dental clinic in protest against the killing of Cecil

Spelling it out: Kaitlin Fuller and daughter Autumn, 10, hold their placards while another protester tells Dr. Palmer exactly what he thinks of his hunting prowess

Hayley Hoppe (R) sits with her daughters Piper, 10, (L) and Paisley, 8, (C), in front of the doorway of River Bluff Dental clinic in protest against the killing of Cecil

Condemnation came from all quarters, including an emotional evisceration by Jimmy Kimmel during his monologue on Tuesday night.

And on Wednesday, the two professional guides that Palmer hired to help him and hunt and a kill a lion after paying a $55,000 permit fee appeared in court in Zimbabwe charged with poaching.

Professional hunter Theo Bronkhorst and local landowner Honest Ndlovu allegedly assisted Dr. Palmer, who has since received death threats, catch and kill the lion.

Dr Palmer claims he had trusted his local guides to meet legal guidelines on his trip to Africa, during which he shot Cecil with a crossbow on July 1 before skinning and beheading him.

The two Zimbabwean men appeared at Hwange magistrates' court, about 435 miles west of the capital Harare, to face poaching charges today.

Meanwhile as the controversy raged and Dr. Palmer still remained out of public sight, he issued a letter of apology to his patients for any inconvenience.

Dr Palmer (left), an avid big game hunter who has killed dozens of animals, has admitted to being the one who shot and killed Cecil the Lion (not pictured) in Zimbabwe

Outpouring of grief: A memorial to the famous lion at a Zimbabwe national park who was shot by American dentist Walter Palmer has been set up outside his office in Bloomington, Minnesota, along with a sign calling the hunter a killer

Explaining that he was a 'life long hunter' who refrained from talking about his passion because he is aware of the deep emotions it stirs, Dr. Palmer said that he was sorry his dental practice had closed.

He expressed regret that he specifically killed Cecil because he was unaware of the lions protected status.

He thanked his patients for support and hoped that the disruption would end sooner rather than later.

Tributes to the butchered lion have poured in at Dr Walter Palmer's office in Bloomington, Minnesota, where protesters dressed as 'dentist hunters' also threw stuffed lions at his house.

The hunter's office and practice website have become a target for animal rights activists disgusted by the dentist's actions, which have resulted in Zimbabwe authorities demanding to speak with him.

At court today, defence lawyer Givemore Muvhiringi said proceedings were delayed by several hours because prosecutors are 'making their assessments'. If convicted, the two Zimbabwean men face up to 15 years in prison in Zimbabwe.

Protests erupt outside dentist office of accused lion killer

Consequences: Cecil the lion (pictured) was killed by Dr. Walter Palmer and subsequently the Minneapolis dentist has had his life put under scrutiny

Mr Bronkhorst, who allegedly acted as Dr Palmer's guide, has been stripped of his licence while he faces criminal charges, the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority and the Safari Operators Association said in a joint statement.

Mr Ndlovu is also facing criminal charges over claims he did not have a hunting permit, the joint statement added.

A family friend said Mr Bronkhorst believed he had acted legally during the hunt and was shocked to find that the lion was wearing a collar.

'The whole thing was perfectly legal. When they found the lion had a collar... he went and reported to the national parks immediately.

'This was just a terrible, very unfortunate act.'

Walter Palmer Sexual Harassment Documents

Ire against Dr Palmer first erupted when he was identified as the shooter by The Telegraph on Tuesday.

Emmanuel Fundira, the president of the Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe, confirmed at a news conference on Tuesday that Dr Palmer is wanted for the death of Cecil.

Police spokesman Charity Charamba said 'we are looking for Palmer' who allegedly paid $55,000 (£35,000) for a big game permit and traveled from Minneapolis to Africa to kill a lion.

'We arrested two people and now we are looking for Palmer in connection with the same case,' said Ms Charamba.

The dentist is said to be somewhere in the Twin Cities, though calls to numbers listed for his home and office went unanswered Tuesday.

His dental practice was closed when reporters went to knock on the door and a note on the father-of-two's home address referred all callers to a public relations firm in Minneapolis.