Explanation
BACKGROUND: This Ordinance is submitted to settle the lawsuit of Matthew H. Radcliffe v. Monte Robinson, et al., Case No. C2-10-0839, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division. Matthew Radcliffe was arrested on October 11, 2008, for the attempted aggravated arson of Tasi’s restaurant on October 5, 2008. Mr. Radcliffe had been arrested for that charge following an investigation by personnel from the Division of Fire; however, the prosecutor declined to present the case to the grand jury. Mr. Radcliffe filed a lawsuit against the City of Columbus, retired arson investigator Monte Robinson, Capt. Jeffrey Happ of the Arson Squad, and Columbus Fire Chief Ned Pettus, Jr., for alleged violations of Mr. Radcliffe’s federal civil rights and state court claims of false arrest, false imprisonment, and malicious prosecution.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds were not specifically budgeted for this settlement; however, sufficient monies are available in the appropriate account to pay the amount of this claim.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Attorney to settle the lawsuit of Matthew H. Radcliffe v. Monte Robinson, et al., pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division; to authorize the expenditure of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars; and to declare an emergency. ($25,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Matthew H. Radcliffe has filed a lawsuit against the City of Columbus and three City employees in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, Case No. C2-10-0839, arising out of an incident on October 11, 2008, when Matthew Radcliffe was arrested for the attempted aggravated arson of Tasi’s restaurant on October 5, 2008; and,
WHEREAS, after investigation of the claims made therein and the damages allegedly suffered by the Plaintiff, the City Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement that is acceptable to both parties and that is recommen...
Click here for full text