City Agrees to Payment to Settle Employee’s Claim

The City Council has agreed to pay tens of thousands of dollars to settle a claim by the city’s affirmative action director, who alleged that he faced discrimination because of his work.

The settlement involving director Lance Charles is valued at more than $300,000, city officials said.

Under the settlement, the city will invest $150,000 in an account from which Charles will be paid $3,300 a month beginning in April 2008, said City Atty. Michele Beal Bagneris. In addition, Charles will receive $15,000 in attorney fees and a $35,000 lump sum in April.

The settlement approved late Monday calls for Charles to retire or resign from city employment by July.

The council voted 4 to 1 to approve the settlement. Councilwoman Ann-Marie Villicana dissented, Councilman William Crowfoot abstained, and Councilman Sydney F. Tyler Jr. was absent.

Last April, Charles alleged that he was given an unfair performance evaluation by former City Manager Phil Hawkey because of his work in investigating City Hall discrimination cases.