Commission declines to settle high‑stakes discrimination case, records item as discussed

The City Commission took up RE6 Thursday amid a sharp divide over whether to approve a proposed settlement in a racial‑discrimination lawsuit that names Police Chief Manny Morales among defendants.

Commissioner Ralph Rosado objected to settling without fully addressing allegations and said a vote to pay might be perceived as "sweeping this under the rug." Rosado read depositions and said the records made him uncomfortable. "I think a vote to settle this case is a vote for sweeping this under the rug," he said.

Several commissioners, including Commissioner Gabella, said their preference to settle reflected a fiduciary duty to limit taxpayer exposure. Gabella explained he had asked the city attorney for a cost estimate and was told trial expense and risk could substantially exceed the settlement amount, so he favored settlement on business grounds.

City Attorney George Wysong and his office told the commission the case was set for trial in the near future and requested clear direction so the court could be notified whether the city intended to settle or proceed to trial. Wysong warned that proceeding to trial could trigger significant attorney‑fee exposure if a jury found for any of the 32 counts alleged in the complaint.

A motion to settle failed to carry; the item was shown as "discussed," and commissioners explored alternatives, including referring the issue for an independent investigation to provide public findings while limiting liability.

Commissioner(s) suggested the city's Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity or an outside investigator could produce a public report to balance transparency and legal risk; the city attorney cautioned that litigation strategy and ongoing discovery limited what commissioners should discuss publicly.