Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance is submitted to settle the lawsuit of Brenda Williams v. the City of Columbus, Case No. 2:10-cv-1155 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division. Brenda Williams alleged that the City of Columbus was a joint employer of the Franklin County Municipal Court and that she was sexually harassed when working as a Spanish interpreter. Ms. Williams alleged that she was forced to work in a hostile work environment and, further, that she was retaliated against and ultimately terminated from her employment, for which she claimed to have suffered damages.
The City vigorously contested that Brenda Williams was never an employee of the City of Columbus. However, the United States District Court overruled the Motion of the City of Columbus for Summary Judgment. A settlement conference was conducted by the Court in which an agreement was reached to resolve the matter in the total amount of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) for all claims including attorney fees.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds were not specifically budgeted for the settlement and this ordinance is contingent upon passage of Ordinance No. 2623-2012.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Attorney to settle the lawsuit of Brenda Williams v. the City of Columbus, pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division; to authorize the expenditure of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars; and to declare an emergency. ($150,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus was named as the defendant in the lawsuit of Brenda Williams v. the City of Columbus, Case No. 2:10-cv-1155, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, and;
WHEREAS, the parties have agreed to settle the lawsuit in the amount of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) in full settlement of Ms. Williams' claims, including any attorney fees, and;
WH...
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