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Chautauqua County to pay $132,500 as part of settlement over 2019 jail death
Summary
County attorney asked the Administrative Services Committee to authorize $132,500 payment as the county's portion of a $170,000 settlement in a suit by the estate of Gregory Galloway; county insurance is expected to cover half, leaving a $66,250 deductible for the county.
The Chautauqua County Administrative Services Committee authorized payment of $132,500 toward a settlement in litigation brought by the estate of Gregory Galloway, an inmate who died in the county jail in 2019.
County Attorney Anna Morgan presented the resolution and said the full settlement amount is $170,000. She said the City of Dunkirk, named as a co-defendant because the decedent was sent to Chautauqua County Jail by Dunkirk City Court, will pay a portion of the total settlement; the county92s authorization would cover the county92s share prior to insurance. Anna Morgan said the county92s insurance carrier (named in the transcript as "Nymer") has indicated it will cover half of the settlement, which would leave the county92s net exposure at $66,250 (the deductible). Morgan said she had reviewed prior counsel92s work on the file and that the recommendation to settle followed review and advice from the county92s insurer.
A committee member asked whether the insurer92s share was guaranteed; Morgan responded that the arrangement is in writing and the county maintains a working relationship with the insurer. The county also noted the court required some form of guarantee that the county will pay the full amount if necessary to satisfy court proceedings.
The committee approved the payment authorization by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.
Why it matters: the settlement resolves litigation tied to an inmate death in 2019 and has direct budget implications for the county92s liability fund.
Details: Anna Morgan declined to discuss matters potentially subject to attorney-client privilege but offered figures on the settlement and insurance handling. She identified prior attorney Todd Thomas as having worked extensively on the case before leaving the legal office.
Next steps: staff will complete settlement paperwork and process the payment per insurance and county procedures.
