Perrysburg Township settles with fired chief

July 25--Perrysburg Township trustees will settle out-of-court a lawsuit filed against the township by former deputy police Chief Michael Gilmore, who was fired in February.

Mr. Gilmore will receive a $150,000 settlement to drop the suit against the township and the board.

The township will pay half the cost directly, with the other half to be paid by its insurance carrier, the trustees announced in a special meeting Friday afternoon.

The township will issue a neutral letter of reference for Mr. Gilmore, stating his dates of employment and identifying the reasons for his termination as "economic necessities or position elimination."

Bob Mack, the trustees' chairman, said township officials were made aware during mediation of the potential cost to defend itself in the case and, rather than risk going to trial, the board decided to settle.

"Going to trial could have easily exceeded what we've agreed to pay," Mr. Mack said. "And there's a general distraction with this going on; taking depositions from our officers when they have better things to do. It made sense to us, to pay a little to be done with this."

Township trustees voted unanimously Feb. 18 to fire Mr. Gilmore and to eliminate the position of deputy chief, one it created in 2013 when it hired him. Trustees said a failed levy and declining police department morale led to Mr. Gilmore's firing.

Mr. Gilmore filed suit later that month in Wood County Common Pleas Court against the township trustees, seeking damages of more than $100,000.

Mr. Gilmore claimed he was denied due process and argued the trustees did not notify him of any charges against him or provide any opportunity to respond to such charges.

The suit also alleged breach of contract and a violation of the Ohio open-meetings law on the grounds his firing did not occur during a legally called public meeting.

Mr. Gilmore, who had worked for the department for two years, was responsible in part for media relations, planning, and scheduling. He retired from the same position with the city of Perrysburg and had spent 24 years with the Toledo Police Department prior to his stint in Perrysburg.

Mr. Gilmore could not be reached for comment Friday.

Contact RoNeisha Mullen at: rmullen@theblade.com, 419-343-3299.

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