$557,000 settlement reached in lawsuit against city of Milan
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MILAN, Tenn. — A lawsuit involving the city of Milan and its current mayor has reached a settlement after five years. The city approved a $557,000 settlement with former employee Lindsey Whitney Taylor on June 5. The settlement will also require Taylor leave from her position at City Hall. Taylor, who used to work inside of the Milan City Hall, filed the complaint against the City of Milan and Mayor Chris Crider in 2009. Taylor alleges that Mayor Crider violated her freedom of speech and first amendment rights in 2008, by not allowing her to participate or assist in a lawsuit that was filed by ex-employee, Keri Williams. Williams a friend of Taylor’s, was fired by Mayor Crider on Sept. 12, 2008, according to officials. Taylor’s attorney’s said Williams, the city recorder at the time, was making allegations of corruption against Mayor Crider. The allegations made by Williams included spending without the board’s approval, favor of treatment for political friends and misuse of funds. Williams ultimately filed a lawsuit against the City and Crider claiming the Mayor fired her after she exposed the alleged improper actions, that lawsuit was dismissed in 2009. According to Taylor’s attorney’s, Mayor Cider called her into his office for a closed door meeting on September 12, just hours after he had fired Williams. Her attorneys argued that Mayor Crider then threatened to fire her, if she spoke with or participated in any action with Williams. Taylor claims she was later demoted and retaliated against for her friendship with Williams. $30,000 will be paid for by the city’s insurance company, and the rest will be paid for out of Milan’s reserve fund.
