Explanation
This Ordinance is issued to settle the lawsuit styled as Miranda L. Panda et al. v. Shana M. Keckley, et al., United States District Court No. 2:18-cv-1159, in the amount of $150,000.00. The claims of Miranda L. Panda and Brittany M. Walters arise out of an incident at Sirens Gentleman’s Club on July 11, 2018. Ms. Panda and Ms. Walters allege that they were unlawfully arrested by members of the Columbus Division of Police including Columbus Police Lieutenant Whitney Lancaster and Columbus Police Detectives Shana Keckley, Mary Praither and Steven Rosser.
Funds were not specifically budgeted for this settlement; however, sufficient monies are available within the General Fund for this purpose via budget reservation BRDI001872.
Emergency action is requested for this ordinance to be effective immediately in order for the parties to effectuate 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 known as Miranda L. Panda et al. v. Shana M. Keckley, et al.; pending in the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio, to authorize the expenditure of the sum of $150,000.00 in settlement of these claims; and to declare an emergency. ($150,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Ms. Panda and Ms. Walters allege that they were unlawfully arrested by members of the Columbus Division of Police on July 11, 2018, including Columbus Police Lieutenant Whitney Lancaster and Columbus Police Detectives Shana Keckley, Mary Praither and Steven Rosser; and
WHEREAS, following the evaluation of the incident, a settlement in the amount of one hundred fifty thousand dollars and zero cents ($150,000.00) to be paid by the City, was deemed to be acceptable in exchange for a release from Ms. Panda and Ms. Walters of any claims against the City of Columbus and any of its employees, agents, or officials, including Columbus Police Lieutenant Whitney Lancaster and Columbus Police Detectives Shana Keckley, Mary Praither and Steven Rosser; and
WHEREAS previously established funds (BRDI001872) set up in anticipation of this settlement will be used to settle this lawsuit; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Police, in that it is immediately necessary for this ordinance to be effective immediately in order for the parties to effectuate the settlement of these claims, 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 Police Lieutenant Whitney Lancaster and Columbus Police Detectives Shana Keckley, Mary Praither and Steven Rosser, pending in the case known as Miranda L. Panda et al. v. Shana M. Keckley, et al., United States District Court No. 2:18-cv-1159 by payment of the sum of one hundred fifty thousand dollars and zero cents ($150,000.00) as a reasonable and fair amount and in the best interest of the City of Columbus.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $150,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to be expended from a previously established BRDI001872:
SECTION 3. That, upon receipt of a voucher 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 one hundred fifty thousand dollars and zero cents ($150,000.00) made payable to Marshall and Forman LLC, Miranda L. Panda and Brittany M. Walters.
SECTION 4. 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 ten days after passage if the Mayor neither vetoes nor approves the same.