Ottawa

Injustice and Neglect: $33 Million Damages Award Affirmed in Ottawa County Civil Rights Lawsuit

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Miami, Oklahoma – A judge has upheld a $33 million damages award and denied a request for a new trial in a civil rights lawsuit centered around the death of a 26-year-old man at Ottawa County jail in 2015. U.S. District Judge Claire R. Kelly issued the ruling, rejecting motions from Ottawa County, which had been sued by the estate of Terral Ellis II. The jury had previously found that the medical care provided by the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office violated Ellis’ constitutional rights. Ellis died on October 22, 2015, shortly after being taken to … Read more

Ottawa County Chair Denies $4 Million Settlement Agreement, Sparks Controversy

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OTTAWA COUNTY, MI – The chair of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners has accused the local media of fabricating a $4 million settlement agreement between the board and the county’s health officer in November. However, a recent court filing disputes this claim and states that a circuit court judge found that an agreement was indeed reached and approved by a majority of board members during a closed session. The subsequent motion made by the board chair, however, was deemed too ambiguous to ratify the agreement. The settlement, which included a payment of $4 million … Read more

Judge Declares Alleged $4M Settlement Invalid for Ottawa County Health Officer Amid Legal Battle

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OTTAWA COUNTY, MICHIGAN – A judge has declined to enforce an alleged $4M settlement for the Ottawa County health officer, stating that the agreement was not in compliance with legal requirements. The health officer, who filed a lawsuit against the county, claimed that she was wrongfully terminated from her position. However, the judge ruled that the settlement did not follow the necessary steps for approval. The dispute arose when the health officer was let go by Ottawa County. Alleging that her termination was unjustified, she pursued legal action against the county. Eventually, a settlement agreement … Read more

Ottawa County Judge Facing Domestic Violence Charge Waives Arraignment Hearing

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HOLLAND SENTINEL – Ottawa County Judge Bradley Knoll has waived his arraignment hearing for a domestic violence charge, according to a report from The Grand Haven Tribune. Knoll, who serves as the chief judge of the Ottawa County 58th District Court, was arrested by the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety on December 13 and charged with misdemeanor domestic violence. His next court date will be a pretrial conference presided over by Muskegon County Judge Geoffrey Nolan. The charge against Knoll involves the violation of MCL 750.812, which deals with assaulting a spouse, former spouse, … Read more