A lawsuit filed by a former Smithfield Packing Co. saleswoman against the meatpacker has been settled on the eve of trial this week.\r\n\r\nThe terms were not disclosed. \r\n\r\nThe former employee, Julie M. Bannister, claimed in the $18 million suit that the company tried to force her to take a lie-detector test after she filed a sexual-harassment complaint. She also claimed she was defamed by a supervisor.\r\n\r\nPapers filed in U.S. District Court June 24 say that the case was settled, but no details were provided. The trial was set to open this week.\r\n\r\nLawyers for both sides declined to comment, and Bannister could not be located. She was last known to be living in Missouri.\r\n\r\nSmithfield Packing, based in Smithfield and the largest subsidiary of Smithfield Foods Inc., produces Smithfield Premium and Lean Generation pork, among other products.\r\n\r\nBannister sold pork products to retailers and distributors between 1998 and May 30, 2002, when she was dismissed, according to the lawsuit. The company said in court papers that Bannister was fired for disrupting the sales floor by gossiping about alleged sexual affairs among company executives.The Virginian-Pilot
