Mayor Condon proposes $50,000 settlement in Frank Straub public records case
The settlement is scheduled for a hearing
The lawsuit, filed by
Condon released a statement Friday announcing the settlement. "I understand the damage to transparency that can be caused by even the appearance of lack of transparency," the statement said. "I have committed in my recent budget to increase the amount allocated for addressing public records requests."
Condon also said he would recommend a change in city policy to have the Hearing Examiner review appeals of disputes about public records requests. He said he will also recommend that the city's ethics code be changed to include "willful intent" by employees in withholding records from the clerk's office.
Coddington said the policy changes the mayor is proposing are similar to those being explored by other cities across the state.
"This is an issue that jurisdictions around the state are grappling with," Coddington said.
"If there is a situation where an individual arguably took actions that were willful and without just cause, and delayed giving you their documents, they could at least be held accountable by the
Breen's lawsuit leaned heavily on findings by independent investigator
Cappel released a report in July charging Isserlis, her employee
Eichstaedt said Breen planned to use the money "for work on police accountability and government transparency" if the council approves the settlement.
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