City Reaches Settlement With Former Charlotte Arson Investigator
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The City of Charlotte says it has reached an agreement in the lawsuit filed by former Charlotte arson investigator Crystal Eschert.
Officials say the City has agreed to pay Eschert and her attorney the more than $1.1 million awarded by a trial court in exchange for both sides dismissing their appeals.
“The City Council decided it was best to end this dispute and move on,” said City Attorney Bob Hagemann. “While the city respects the jury’s verdict and the court’s rulings, this settlement should not be interpreted as agreement, or an admission of wrongdoing or liability. To the contrary, the city defended itself based on a conviction that Ms. Eschert’s termination was justified and lawful.”
The breakdown of the $1,135,100.27 to be paid to Eschert by the City is as follows:
- $464,538 in back pay and compensatory damages paid to Ms. Eschert,
- $42,037.97 in pre- and post-judgment interest paid to Ms. Eschert, and
- $628,524.30 in attorney’s fees, costs, and appeal filing fee to Maloney Law & Associates.
Original Story
May 11, 2017
CHARLOTTE, NC — A federal jury sided with former Charlotte arson investigator Crystal Eschert Thursday who claimed she was fired after complaining about safety at an office building in 2014.
The city said it fired Eschert over a controversial Facebook post at the time, but a jury did not agree. The verdict says that Eschert should be entitled to more than $1 million for wrongful termination.
A judge is expected to rule on exactly how much she should receive in the next few weeks.
