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Freiedman lawsuit dismissed; mayor seeks fee reimbursement as commission debates repayment plan for commissioner advance
Summary
The town attorney said the lawsuit by former finance director Babette Freiedman was dismissed with prejudice in federal and state courts; Mayor Jacobs said he paid for counsel and will seek reimbursement. Separately, commissioners discussed repayment options for a prior loan involving Commissioner Hodkins and moved the matter to the next meeting for action.
The Town of Pembroke Park’s attorney told the commission on May 6 that a lawsuit brought by a former finance director, Babette Freiedman, has been dismissed with prejudice in both federal and state courts.
Town Attorney (role): The attorney reported the litigation was handled by the town’s insurance defense counsel and that the dismissals mean the matter cannot be re-filed. Under town ordinance and Florida law that addresses indemnification of public officials, the mayor may be entitled to reimbursement of attorney’s fees incurred while defending claims tied to his official duties.
Mayor’s request: Mayor Jacobs said he had paid for private counsel and plans to seek reimbursement from the town under the indemnification provisions; he told the commission he will provide invoices for the commission’s consideration. The town attorney said the first step for the commission is a formal finding of entitlement, and the mayor’s requested reimbursement will be placed on a future agenda when the mayor provides the final fee amount.
Repayment plan for commissioner: The commission also discussed a separate matter — a prior loan/advance involving Commissioner Hodkins — and options for recouping public funds. Commissioners debated options including immediate demand for repayment, payroll garnishment, pursuing legal action, or recoupment from other entitlements. Several commissioners asked that the matter be placed as a line item for action at the next commission meeting.
Why it matters: A dismissal of litigation involving town personnel concludes a significant legal exposure, but the reimbursement request will require the commission to make a formal entitlement finding if it chooses to reimburse the mayor. The repayment issue raised separate governance and ethics concerns about use of public funds and the appropriate accountability process.
Next steps: The mayor will submit final invoices for his attorney’s fees for the commission to consider under the town’s indemnification rules. The repayment discussion for Commissioner Hodkins will be added as a line item at the next commission meeting for formal action.
