County settles lawsuit with former employee
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A signed settlement agreement between Ringgold County and former county employee Brenda Adams has been released.
The agreement stems from a lawsuit filed in Ringgold County District Court.
No details regarding the original complaint were made available in the settlement document.
Ringgold County has denied and continue to deny the allegations included in the lawsuit.
Agreement language states “This agreement shall not be construed as an admission by Ringgold County and Sheriff Rob Haley of any wrongdoing or any violation of any federal, state, or local statute or ordinance or any enforceable right of Adams. The Defendants specifically disclaim any wrongdoing whatsoever against Adams.”
However, the settlement states the “Parties now intend to resolve fully any and all disputes, claims, issues, and differences between them including, but not limited to, all claims alleged in the Petition and, any and all other claims, demands or causes of action which arose prior to the effective date of this Agreement.”
The agreement calls for a total sum of $500,000, which will be divided as follows:
• a payroll check payable to Adams for $7,500 designated as lost wages less taxes.
• a check payable to Fiedler Law Firm for $169,387.56 for attorney’s fees, expenses, and costs.
• a check payable to Adams for $323,112.44 designated as lost benefits, emotional distress and other compensatory damages.
All but the county’s $2,000 insurance deductible is covered by the Iowa Community Assurance Pool, along with taxes withheld from the payroll check.
As part of the agreement, Adams agrees not to seek employment directly with Ringgold County, with the exception of Ringgold County Hospital.
