Explanation
Background:
This Ordinance is submitted to settle the lawsuit known as Serrina Jackson v. Joe Richard, et al., United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio Case No. 2:21-cv-0574, in the amount of two hundred fifty thousand dollars and zero cents ($250,000.00) of which two hundred twenty-five thousand dollars and zero cents ($225,000.00) will be paid by the City of Columbus and twenty-five thousand dollars and zero cents ($25,000.00) will be paid by Joe Richard. Plaintiff Serrina Jackson’s lawsuit arises out of a claim that Joe Richard sexually harassed and assaulted her while she was employed as a cadet with the City of Columbus, Division of Fire.
On February 5, 2021, Ms. Jackson re-filed a lawsuit in the Court of Common Pleas of Franklin County, Ohio, against Joe Richard and the City of Columbus, in which she claimed that Joe Richard sexually harassed and assaulted her while she was employed as a cadet with the City of Columbus, Division of Fire. She alleges the City knew or should have known about Richard’s conduct and failed to stop it. On February 9, 2021, the lawsuit was removed to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
Fiscal Impact:
Funds were not specifically budgeted for this settlement; however, sufficient monies are available within the Department of Finance’s Citywide Account for this purpose.
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 known as Serrina Jackson v. Joe Richard, et al., Case No. 2:21-cv-0574 pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio; to authorize the expenditure of the sum of two hundred twenty-five thousand dollars and zero cents ($225,000.00) in settlement of this lawsuit; and ...
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