Council to discuss lawsuit settlement

The city of Toledo could be paying $450,000 in a settlement involving former employees. But in a...  More »

The city of Toledo could be paying $450,000 in a settlement involving former employees. But in a memo, Councilman D. Michael Collins is asking council members to meet behind closed doors to talk about the strengths and weaknesses of the cases. In 2007 there was controversy surrounding Perlean Griffin who believed she was forced out of her job as the affirmative action director for the city. There were several protests held in support of her allegations of discrimination. A lawsuit was filed against Mayor Carty Finkbeiner and the city on behalf of Griffin and former employee Dwayne Morehead. Councilman Collins said on Tuesday members of council are scheduled to discuss the case and a possible $450,000 settlement. He doesn't think a vote should happen just yet until members speak with the city's lawyer. "I'm not willing to agree to spending this kind of money unless I see clear and convincing reason for us to do so," he said. "Right now I have not found clear and convincing reasons to cause me to believe we should spend this money." In order for the settlement to go through council would have to give the okay for that money to be used. According to court documents, the plaintiffs in this case were originally asking for $1 million.  « Less