Johnson City approves $28 million settlement to resolve class-action claims tied to Sean Williams cases

The Johnson City Commission on Feb. 13 approved a settlement totaling $28,000,000 to resolve two related lawsuits that alleged the city and its officers failed to investigate or properly respond to reports of sexual exploitation and assaults, including crimes committed by Sean Williams.

City attorney Tom Seeley introduced the item and said the commission had reviewed the case and received legal advice in executive session. Lead plaintiffs’ counsel John Lakey outlined the settlement’s principal terms, saying, “The amount of the settlement, for all, for both sides of the case would be a total of $28,000,000 which would be in part covered by your liability insurer.” Lakey also said that, if the commission approves, plaintiffs will dismiss with prejudice the claims tied to the Sean Williams victims and will provide releases for the related class claims.

The settlement responds to two overlapping parts of the litigation: a purported class action alleging gender‑based failures by the Johnson City Police Department for reports from Jan. 1, 2018, through Dec. 31, 2022 (a class that discovery suggests could include as many as 400 women), and separate claims tied specifically to assaults by Sean Williams through roughly the end of 2021. Lakey told the commission plaintiffs would state that “based on what they've learned to date, there was a substantial risk that they could not support these claims.”

During public comment before the vote, Chris Edwards of Johnson City urged caution about sealed settlements and agreements that do not include an admission of guilt, saying, “I caution settlements under seal and settlements that do not offer an admission of guilt.” Commissioners acknowledged the decision’s difficulty but framed the vote as risk management to avoid uncertain, protracted litigation and further disruption to city services and personnel. Several commissioners thanked city staff and the police leadership for their work responding to the matter.

The commission voted unanimously to approve and appropriate the funds to effectuate the settlement; the motion and appropriation require final approval from the federal court before the agreement becomes effective. The city’s liability insurer is expected to pay part of the amount, but the transcript does not specify the insurer’s share.

Next steps identified by the city attorney and lead counsel include filing paperwork with the district court to obtain the court’s approval and dismissal orders required to finalize the settlement. Commissioners said they would not discuss attorney‑client privileged advice given in earlier executive sessions and that further public detail would be limited by court orders and the settlement process.