Settles

Morristown Settles $5.5 Million Lawsuit Over Mayor’s Alleged Improper Influence in Real Estate Deal

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MORRISTOWN, New Jersey – A developer and the town of Morristown have reached a settlement of $5.5 million, putting an end to a lawsuit that accused the mayor of improper influence in a real estate deal. The lawsuit, filed by the Silverman Group, alleged that Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty interfered in a deal between the developer and the Deloitte accounting firm. The Silverman Group’s attorney, Joseph Fiorenzo, expressed hope that this case would serve as a message to public officials everywhere that such interference is unacceptable and carries real consequences. In response, Mayor Dougherty stated … Read more

Portland City Council Settles Lawsuit Over Withheld Text Messages with $167,000 Payment

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Portland, Oregon – The Portland City Council has agreed to pay almost $167,000 to settle a lawsuit that accused the city and Mayor Ted Wheeler of withholding a large number of text messages from a public records request. The lawsuit followed an investigation that found Wheeler and other city officials regularly violated city policy by using iMessage on their city-issued iPhones. The city’s public records software at the time was unable to access iMessages. The state public records law mandates that government officials preserve all written communication, including text messages and emails, and provide them … Read more

West End Jewelry Business Settles Lawsuit Over ‘Nanny Cam’ Scandal, Case Continues for Former Owner

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RICHMOND, Va. – Lustre, a jewelry business located in Richmond, Virginia, and its co-owner, Robin Salzberg, have recently reached a settlement in a long-standing lawsuit. The legal battle was initiated by the Salzberg family’s former nanny, Sara Hatch, who had also worked for Lustre. Hatch had sought $5 million in damages, claiming workplace sexual harassment and emotional distress after discovering a hidden camera in the family’s bathroom. The lawsuit was first filed in September 2021, with Hatch initially identified as Jane Doe. However, a judge later ruled that her identity should be revealed. Throughout the … Read more

Bentleyville Woman Settles $250,000 Lawsuit with State Police Over Roadside Strip Search

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BENTLEYVILLE, Pa. – The Pennsylvania State Police will pay $250,000 to a woman from Bentleyville who alleged that a trooper subjected her to a strip search during a traffic stop in 2021. The settlement was disclosed in a federal lawsuit agreement earlier this year. Holly Elish, the plaintiff, filed the lawsuit against State Trooper Brian Rousseau, accusing him of unlawfully pulling her over and conducting a strip search on May 27, 2021, near Washington. The lawsuit also implicated North Strabane police Sgt. Abigail France, who allegedly performed the search at Rousseau’s request. According to the … Read more