Hamner Accepts $110,000 County Lawsuit Settlement

Former county executive spokesman Karla Hamner has accepted a $110,000 settlement from county officials in a lawsuit in which Hamner claimed she had been fired for speaking against John Leopold.

Hamner served as a spokeswoman for former County Executive John R. Leopold from 2007-2008. In her complaint, Hamner said she was fired for complaining about Leopold's behavior toward her.

On Thursday, the county reported that Hamner had accepted the settlement offer, but her attorney would have to appeal the court to prove additional attorney fees. 

County Executive Laura Neuman issued a statement, calling the incident a "sordid chapter," of the county.

“We are pleased that this case has been resolved and we can put it behind us. This closes a sad and sordid chapter in our County's history, but serves as the impetus for putting processes in place that guard against this in the future," Neuman said in the statement.