Explanation
Background:
This Ordinance is submitted to settle the lawsuit captioned Stephanie Clifford v. Shana M. Keckley, et al., United States District Court Case No. 2:19-cv-00119, in the amount of Four Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($450,000.00). On July 11, 2018, Ms. Clifford, better known as Stormy Daniels, was arrested at Sirens Gentlemen’s Club by members of the Columbus Division of Police and charged with three counts of violating O.R.C. 2907.40(C)(2) Illegal Sexually Oriented Activity in a Sexually Oriented Business. The involved officers were Shana Keckley, Whitney Lancaster, Mary Praither, and Steven Rosser. Ms. Clifford was handcuffed, transported from the scene of the arrest, and slated at the Franklin County Jail following identification processing at CPD headquarters. She was released from custody on July 12, 2018 and her charges were dismissed that same day. Ms. Clifford’s lawsuit names the City of Columbus, CPD Commander Terry Moore, and Officers Keckley, Lancaster, Praither, and Rosser as defendants. Ms. Clifford alleges, among other things, that: (a) she was arrested and charged without probable cause in violation of her Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights; (b) the policy and practice of the City of Columbus was the moving force behind her arrest; and (c) she suffered injuries and damages.
Fiscal Impact:
Funds were not specifically budgeted for this settlement; however, sufficient appropriation is available within Police's general fund budget for this purpose.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney to settle the lawsuit captioned Stephanie Clifford v. Shana M. Keckley, et al., pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio; to authorize the expenditure of the sum of $450,000.00 in settlement of the lawsuit; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, Stephanie Clifford alleges that the City of Columbus, Columbus Police Commander Terry Moore, and Columbus Police Officers Shana Keckley, Whitney Lanc...
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