Hillsdale council rejects resolution to settle Moore v. Paladino

The Hillsdale City Council voted down a proposed resolution intended to settle claims by Eric Moore against the city and related to Councilman Joshua Paladino, with the motion failing 2-6 on March 2, 2026.

The measure, described in the meeting as a “retraction resolution” drafted with input from Mr. Moore's attorney, was put forward by Council Member Greg Stuchell and seconded by Council Member Bob Flynn. Councilman William Morrisey objected to language in the document, saying he could not retract a statement he said he did not make: "I didn't make the statement, not able to retract something not said or done," Morrisey said during the debate. City Attorney Tom Thompson reviewed how possible litigation against the city or individuals could proceed if the council did not adopt the resolution.

Stuchell and Mayor Scott Sessions voted in favor of adopting the resolution; the remaining council members voted no, producing a 2-6 result and leaving the city without the formal settlement language adopted at that meeting. The minutes note that counsel for Mr. Moore had indicated the resolution, if adopted and read into the record, would have been acceptable to Mr. Moore to settle claims against the City of Hillsdale only; the minutes also state that such an adoption would not necessarily settle any claims Mr. Moore may have against Mayor Pro Tem Paladino in his personal capacity.

The council's rejection does not, according to the City Attorney's on-record explanation, resolve whether Mr. Moore will continue with litigation against any individual council members or the city; Thompson described procedural steps the plaintiff's attorney could take but the minutes do not record a definitive next filing or deadline. No monetary payment from the city was described in the presented resolution.

The council adjourned later that evening; no subsequent action on this resolution was listed in the minutes.