Hattiesburg MS settles lawsuits with former Chaplain www.privateofficer.com

 

 

HATTIESBURG, Miss.Feb 2 2012 — The city of Hattiesburg and a former employee of the police department have settled a lawsuit for $55,000.

Former Hattiesburg Police Department Chaplain Richard Tapp filed the suit in March. Tapp claimed he was unjustly fired to avoid an investigation that may have uncovered alleged illegal activity within the police department.

The parties reached an agreement Jan. 18 in a settlement conference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael T. Parker.

V.K. Smith III, the city’s attorney, said the Mississippi Municipal Service Co. paid the plaintiff a $55,000 sum, but did so outside of the usual confidentiality agreement involved in such settlements.
Tapp’s attorney, Robin L. Roberts, told the Hattiesburg American he would not disclose the settlement amount, but that he and his client were happy with it.

V.K. Smith III, the city’s attorney, said the Mississippi Municipal Service Co. paid the plaintiff a $55,000 sum, but did so outside of the usual confidentiality agreement involved in such settlements.