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Public Safety Committee OKs $132,500 county payment to settle estate of Gregory Galloway
Summary
The Chautauqua County Public Safety Committee authorized payment of $132,500 as the county's share of a $170,000 settlement to the estate of Gregory Galloway; county attorney said proof of ability to pay was requested by the court and insurance will cover roughly half of the county's obligation.
The Chautauqua County Public Safety Committee on a voice vote authorized payment of $132,500 as the county's portion of a $170,000 settlement to the estate of Gregory Galloway.
County Attorney Anna Morgan told the committee the settlement resolves a claim brought by Galloway's estate arising from his death while in Chautauqua County custody in 2019. "In front of you is a resolution that proposes, on advice of the county attorney's office and our insurance carrier, that we settle the claim that the estate of Mr. Gregory Galloway has toward the county," Morgan said.
Morgan said the total settlement of $170,000 will be split between Chautauqua County defendants and City of Dunkirk defendants; Dunkirk is to pay $37,500 and the county the remainder, $132,500. She said the county's insurer will cover approximately half of the county's obligation because the county's deductible for this type of claim is 50 percent. "Our insurance carrier was involved in the number. They were involved in the settlement negotiations, and they will be covering half because our deductible in these types of cases is 50%," Morgan said.
Morgan also told the committee the estate had commenced proceedings in the circuit court and the presiding judge, identified in the meeting as Judge Cass, "wants something in writing that the county is ready, willing, and able to meet our full liability." A committee member asked for more detail about the claim; Morgan said much of the evidence is privileged but that the settlement was focused on "pain and suffering" the decedent suffered and that expert and coroner testimony informed the valuation.
Committee members did not request follow-up measures or operational changes as part of the resolution. After brief questions the committee voted; the chair called for those in favor, members responded "Aye," and the motion carried.
The resolution as presented directs payment of the county's share; the committee record indicates the insurer's participation but does not show a separate formal accounting entry in the transcript excerpt. The item passed on the committee's voice vote and will proceed as provided by the county's internal procedures.
