The Lorain County commissioners accused of retaliation for the firing of a former county administrator, have settled a court case stemming from the termination.
Lorain County Commissioners Michelle Hung and Matt Lundy were being sued in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio by former county administrator Tom Williams for retaliation and violation of first amendment rights.
Williams alleged he was fired in August 2021 because he told Lorain County assistant county prosecutor Dan Petticord that Hung had admitted to him she was in a sexual relationship with then county 911 Director Harry Williamson.
U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko issued the settlement after a status conference May 16.
Lundy confirmed the settlement, but no dollar figures.
“The paperwork is being drawn up,” he said. “We do have a settlement.
“I’ll be able to tell you more once things are official.”
Williams declined comment late May 20.
Upon Williams’ termination, it originally was agreed he would receive a $450,000 buyout, but at the last minute, Hung and Lundy reneged.
Lundy has said he opted to renege because he does not believe buyouts should be given to government employees.
“It all revolves around severances packages,” he said during a May 19 interview with The Morning Journal. “I don’t think severance packages have a place in county government.”
The commissioners still must approve the most recent settlement by a resolution, which is expected to take place May 25.
Commissioner Dave Moore in an interview distanced himself from the actions of Hung and Lundy.
“This ain’t my circus,” Moore said. “I’m not going to jump into it.”
Hung did not return a call for comment.
Moore called for Hung to resign after she admitted to the affair with Williamson.
He also accused Hung and Williamson of trying to steer contracts for the county’s 911 system.
Williamson was fired Aug. 2, 2021.
On Aug. 5, 2021, Hung and Lundy issued a joint statement in which Hung admitted to having an affair with Williamson.
In Williams’ suit, he argued the decision by Hung and Lundy to terminate him violated his First Amendment rights in reference to his conversations with Petticord.
He also noted in the suit that he warned Lundy on numerous occasions that he was creating a hostile work environment.
The suit also argues Williams was fired without cause and the commissioners initially agreed to pay his severance package.
Williams was hired Jan. 4, 2021, at a salary of $149,000 annually and negotiated an 18-month severance package into his contract of approximately $223,500.
Hung and Lundy, the suit states, initially agreed to pay Williams $450,000 upon his termination, and “reneged” the following day.
