JONESBORO, Ark. – The legal saga between Rachel Anderson and the City of Jonesboro over her alleged wrongful termination is coming to a close.
A notice of settlement was filed by Anderson’s counsel, Sutter & Gillham, P.L.L.C., at 3:17 PM on April 14. The notice does not reveal the specific details of the settlement.
Any proposed settlement must be approved by the Jonesboro City Council before it can be finalized.
NEA Report spoke to Jonesboro City Councilmember LJ Bryant, who was informed of the pending settlement agreement on Monday. He said City Attorney Carol Duncan informed him today that the proposed settlement was for $99,000. Based on Bryant’s understanding, the Arkansas Municipal League would pay about two-thirds and the rest would be paid for by the city. That would leave Jonesboro taxpayers on the hook for about $30,000-$35,000. There were other terms to the settlement, including removing the termination from Anderson’s personnel file, Bryant said. The full agreement has not been released yet to the press.
A proposal is expected to be brought before the city council Tuesday.
Parties have been locked in mediation since the end of March.
Anderson sued Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver and Chief of Police Rick Elliott for terminating her after speaking at a public meeting in opposition of a bond issue backed by the mayor at a November 7, 2023 public meeting. The lawsuit alleged that the mayor ordered her to be fired for exercising her First Amendment rights. The city argued she violated policies by disagreeing with the mayor and police chief at the public meeting.
Catch up on the background of the legal drama here.
NEA Report presently has several Freedom of Information Act requests out related to this case. As we learn more about the proposed settlement agreement, this story will be updated. Refresh for the latest.
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We need to recall the mayor in November or at least make him a one term mayor when he’s up for reelection!
The Taxpayers should not be responsible for any of this.
I think we need new mayor ASAP. No, the taxpayers shouldn’t be responsible for paying this.
I have heard of recalls of Governor’s in California but not sure how to go about it in the case of a mayor. A harold copenhaver called me a loser on another news article that I made comment on here if that’s indeed the mayor he is really professional to say the least, lol.
You’re still a loser with no friends!
The $31,000 or so that Jonesboro will be responsible for should come out of the Mayor’s salary
The people elect a person to become mayor or president or someone to Congress and so on to make choices for them and all citizens. Because the people elect the mayor, the people are saying that they trust and know he will do things they approve of. So the people are responsible for his or her choices. I.E. if the people elect a president and that president declares war, it’s the young people that go to fight not the president. This is why people should really select wisely who they are voting for. It’s not a game, it’s real life. Yes, taxes are going to go up to pay for this, but just a little. Be careful who you vote for in future. An elected person should make every choice and ask themselves “is this choice in the best interest of all the voters?” But everyone makes mistakes.