Wednesday, February 14, 2001
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Wednesday, February 14, 2001 |
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Jones settles sex discrimination suit against city of Fayetteville By JOHN
MUNFORD
Amanda Jones, a former clerk with the city of Fayetteville, has agreed to settle her sexual discrimination lawsuit against the city, former City Manager Mike Bryant and current City Manager Joe Morton. The settlement, which was signed Jan. 24, calls for the city to compensate Jones with $30,000 for physical pain and suffering. It also cites that the city will pay Jones's attorneys $20,000. In return, Jones agrees to resign her post effective Jan. 31 and drop her portion of the civil suit she and former Main Street director Sherri Anderson filed against the city, Bryant and Morton. She also agreed to refrain from using disparaging or uncomplimentary language when referring to any of the defendants in the case. Bryant also has agreed to drop his counterclaim against Jones for slander. Anderson has not agreed to settle the case. In a public statement, Jones said she is glad the case was resolved and she thanked her fellow employees for their support and kindness. She also said she filed the suit because she felt there was no other way "to address the problem adequately." "However, for those who may have doubts about the truth, it can be found in the open record notes of the independent attorney who conducted the initial investigation for the city," she wrote. Bryant also issued a public statement, saying that he denies the allegations and wanted the matter to be brought to court. He said he agreed to settle under the threat from the city's insurance company to withdraw its coverage if he didn't cooperate. "The decision to settle is based solely on the fact that the insurance company is paying for the defense of the city, Joe Morton as well as myself," Bryant wrote. "Thus the issue is one of cost, not truth." Bryant also apologized for the embarrassment caused by the suit and added that the issue has "devastated not only my family and my career but also will eventually affect many others as well." Bryant resigned in January 2000 in an agreement with City Council after Anderson's and Jones's allegations were brought to the city attorney and investigated by an independent attorney.
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