Munroe Falls to pay former police sergeant up to $135,000
Munroe Falls City Council has taken another step toward bringing the three-year legal battle between a former police sergeant and the city to an end.
On Tuesday night, council unanimously passed a resolution that authorizes Mayor James Armstrong to enter into a settlement agreement with the former employee Bob Post for an amount not to exceed $135,000, "among other things."
More: Former police Sgt. Bob Post, Munroe Falls agree to settlement
The city passed the resolution on first reading, rather than giving it a typical three readings.
"We've been advised by counsel that this needs to be taken care of tonight at this council meeting, and it wouldn't do anything really to prolong it," councilman Frank Larson said. "Sgt. Post has agreed to the settlement and so it's time to move on."
Post filed a complaint in federal court in December 2018 against the city of Munroe Falls, Armstrong, then-police chief Jerry Hughes and law director Tom Kostoff seeking compensation for lost earnings and benefits, as well as damages, court costs and attorney fees, after Post was relieved of his duties in April 2018.
The parties reached a settlement on Oct. 27, vacating a Nov. 8 trial that had been set in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio.
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According to the city's resolution, "Council finds and determines that it is in the best interest of the City and its residents that the City approve and accept an agreement between Post and the City for the settlement of said Litigation as well as any and all claims that Post may have against the City."
Armstrong stated that the $135,000 will entirely come out of the city's general fund, and that neither he, nor Hughes nor Kostoff will personally pay any portion of the settlement. Armstrong, Hughes and Kostoff will also not personally pay anything in addition to the settlement.
It is unclear what "among other things" in the resolution refers to, however councilman Mike Barnes stated in reference to that wording, "There is a part of this that you won't see immediately. At some point, when it's all sealed and delivered, we can share it."
Barnes continued that "at some point in the near future," he is planning to present a resolution that would return retirement rights to Post, including giving Post a retirement badge, giving him the opportunity to purchase his service revolver for $1, and restoring his access to the Law Enforcement Automated Database System.
Barnes' term expires at the end of this year.
"I would love if the people involved would offer Sgt. Post an apology," Barnes continued. "I don't think that's going to happen, but this is the best thing all around that Sgt. Post felt comfortable with. It gets the city past this and hopefully brings this unfortunate incident to a close."
Councilmen Allen Mavrides and John Hegnauer said they would have "no problem" returning Post's badge and gun, but said they could not speak to the return of the LEADS access.
Barnes also called for the resignation of all involved, including Armstrong, Kostoff, Mavrides, Hegnauer, council President Chris Ritzinger, and councilmen Gary Toth and Jim Iona. Each official declined to comment on Barnes' call for resignation.
"That's for the residents to decide," Hegnauer responded. "That's why we vote."
MORE: 2021 Summit County Election Results
Mavrides and Iona were re-elected to their seats Tuesday night, according to final but unofficial results from the Summit County Board of Elections. Toth lost his race to Ross Widenor.
Reporter Krista S. Kano can be reached at 330-541-9416, kkano@thebeaconjournal.com or on Twitter @KristaKanoABJ.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Munroe Falls Council agrees to pay $135K to Bob Post,
