WM council votes to settle harassment suit out of court

WM council votes to settle harassment suit out of court

No- fault deal will cost city $ 25,000

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The city of West Memphis is settling a work place harassment accusation. City Council approved a payment during their second meeting in September. The vote authorized Mayor Bill Johnson to take action on behalf of the city to settle out of court.

City Employee Keya Turner works in the sanitation department and alleged harassment. Leroy Turner heads the department but the two are not related.

The Municipal League recommended settling out of court to the City Council after filing a motion with the court and considered its response.

Municipal League Staff Attorney Mike Mosley briefed the city legislators.

“The court ruled there was issues of fact and it had to go to trial,” said Mosley. “It did not say we did anything wrong, just simply we had to go to trial. Because of the risks of trial in this case, I negotiated a proposal with opposing counsel and we have a proposal for $50,000 to settle the case.”

The city has 50/50 insurance coverage with the Municipal League for such cases, making the city’s portion to settle $25,000.

Mosley weighed the risks and the cost of pursuing a defense in the case with City Council all ears.

“It is my strong recommendation to settle this case for this amount, given the risks of continuing on in this lawsuit,” said Mosley. “I am not conceding we have done anything wrong. It is just that the court thinks there are issues a jury should decide. Under the circumstances this is a reasonable amount of money to settle the case. If we took it to all to trial attorney’s fees being in excess of $25,000 would be possible.”

Mosley indicated he was not at liberty to discuss details of the case.

By John Rech