Explanation
Background:
This Ordinance is submitted to settle the lawsuit captioned Ryan Pitts v. Emily Geier et al., United States District Court Case No. 2:25-cv-875 (the “Lawsuit”), in the amount of Thirty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($30,000).
The Lawsuit was brought by Ryan Pitts against three employees of the Columbus Division of Police, Emily Geier, Lucas Lauvray, and Daxston Cates. The lawsuit arises out of a traffic stop of Ryan Pitts.
On August 11, 2023, Columbus police officer Emily Geier effected a traffic stop of Ryan Pitts after observing what she believed to be suspicious driving behavior on the part of Mr. Pitts. Officer Geier was assisted by Officers Lucas Lauvray and Daxston Cates. Mr. Pitts subsequently filed a complaint with the Department of the Inspector General (DIG). Mr. Pitts complained that he believed that he was pulled over for no reason and that an officer involved with his stop had used profanity and been rude and discourteous. After investigation, the DIG sustained policy violation allegations against Officers Geier and Lauvray, including a failure to provide enough reasonable suspicion for the stop, rudeness and use of profanity, and bias-based policing. The citation issued to Mr. Pitts by Officer Geier was later dismissed by the prosecutor in its entirety. This settlement will allow for resolution of all of Mr. Pitts’ claims related to the August 11, 2023 traffic stop.
Fiscal Impact:
This ordinance authorizes the settlement of a lawsuit captioned Ryan Pitts v. Emily Geier et al., United States District Court Case No. 2:25-cv-875; Funds were not specifically budgeted for this settlement; however, sufficient monies are available within Finance’s Citywide Account for this purpose. This ordinance is contingent on the passage of the 2026 operating budget.
Emergency action is requested for this ordinance to be effective immediately in accordance with the terms of the settlement of this lawsuit, which is in the best interest of the City, and to pay the agreed to sum without delay.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Attorney to settle the lawsuit captioned Ryan Pitts v. Emily Geier et al., United States District Court Case No. 2:25-cv-875; to authorize the expenditure of the sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($30,000.00) in settlement of the lawsuit; to authorize the transfer of $30,000.00 within the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($30,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Ryan Pitts alleges that he suffered damages caused by the actions of employees of the City of Columbus, Division of Police; and
WHEREAS, a settlement in the amount of Thirty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($30,000.00), to be paid by the City of Columbus, was deemed to be acceptable in exchange for a release of any and all claims, and an agreement to defend and indemnify the City of Columbus and any of its current or former employees, agents, and officials; and
WHEREAS, the amount of Thirty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($30,000.00) will be paid to Ryan Pitts and the law firm of Sabol Mallory LLC; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Police, in that it is necessary for this ordinance to be effective immediately in order for the parties to effectuate the settlement of these claims in accordance with the terms of the settlement agreement, which is in the best interest of the City, and to pay the agreed to sum without delay; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the City Attorney be and hereby is authorized and directed to settle all claims against the City of Columbus, its officers, agents, and employees, including Columbus Division of Fire employees Emily Geier, Lucas Lauvray, and Daxston Cates, by payment of the sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($30,000.00) as a reasonable and fair amount and in the best interest of the City of Columbus.
Section 2. That the transfer of $30,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between object classes within the General Fund per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance:
Section 3. That the expenditure of $30,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized as follows in the General Fund object class 05 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance:
Section 4. That, upon receipt of an invoice and a release approved by the City Attorney, the City Auditor be and is hereby authorized to draw a warrant upon the City Treasurer for the sum of thirty thousand dollars and no cents ($30,000.00) made jointly payable to Ryan Pitts and the law firm of Sabol Mallory LLC.
Section 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force after passage and approval by the Mayor, or 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither vetoes nor approves the same.