HOUSTON – The city of Houston has settled a 2009 lawsuit filed by female employees of the Houston Fire Department over allegations of sex discrimination and retaliation for $275,000. The Houston City Council approved the financial settlement for the two former female firefighters who claimed they had faced discrimination based on their gender. READ: Justice Dept sues Houston for sex discrimination, retaliation against female HFD employeesJane Draycott and Paula Keyes claimed they were subjected to intolerable working conditions at the Houston Fire Department’s Station 54. The federal lawsuit accused the Fire Department of not take meaningful steps to stop the discrimination. READ: City of Houston has more than 50 sustained cases of sexual harassment over last five yearsDraycott’s settlement was approved Wednesday, where she will receive $275,000.