City to Pay $23,500 in Settlement With Former Employee

The city council recently approved a payment of $23,500 to go toward a settlement of a lawsuit with former city employee Paul Drexel, according to court documents obtained by Patch.

Drexel, who worked for the city's communications department and was fired in 2010 by then-Business Administrator Arch Liston. Drexel was a provisional employee, and therefore not protected under the Civil Service Commission. 

The settlement passed in a 7-1-0 vote in a closed session, with Fourth Ward City Councilman Tim Occhipinti abstaining. Occhipinti said he did not have enough information to vote "yes" on the matter. Councilman Michael Russo was absent that meeting, which took place on May 2, 2012. 

The settlement means that all claims against the city have been dropped, according to the court documents. 

In the settlement, which was approved early last month, the city promises to make the payment within 30 days of the agreement. The charges sought against the city were sought under the law against discrimination and the conscientious employee protection act, according to court documents.