Update: City Releases Details of Lindell Partial Settlement

The City of Mercer Island and lawyers representing former Deputy City Manager and City Attorney Londi Lindell released details of a legal settlement to Mercer Island Patch Monday worth over $1 million, ending most claims in a Federal civil rights case filed against the city that has run nearly 2 1/2 years.

In exchange for dropping the claims and agreeing no one is at fault in the matter, Lindell will receive $1 million (before taxes), $15,000 in outplacement services, her dismissal from the city will be amended to show she resigned, and a letter of reference from City Manager Rich Conrad (see the settlement document by clicking here).

A copy of a 10-page "Fully Executed Settlement Agreement"  was reached at a court-mandated mediation session by Lindell’s lawyers Scott Blankenship and Nazik Youssef, about a week before trial was set to begin in the U.S. District Court in Seattle.

“It took tremendous courage and integrity for Ms. Lindell to act in the best interest of Mercer Island and its citizens," said Blankenship. "She deserves justice." (See a press release from The Blankenship Law Firm by clicking here)

Finalized and signed by all parties by July 12, the agreement also contained a press release the city confirmed was given to the  and the Seattle Times, and a reference letter from Conrad.

“The City thanks Ms. Lindell for her lengthy service to Mercer Island and wishes her good luck in future career endeavors,” stated the press release.

The agreement does not end the case; after the city was The city must pay those costs out of its own coffers. 

The partial settlement resolves claims the city retaliated illegally against Lindell when they fired her shortly after an outside investigation looking into sex harassment and discrimination was abruptly ended in 2007. 

The legal defense for the city and several city staff and city councilmembers named in the lawsuit was administered by the city's insurance, Washington Cities Insurance Authority (WCIA). The insurance company will pay for all parts of the settlement provided to Lindell.

“It is with great sadness and regret that I was forced to file this lawsuit after spending many wonderful years working for the City of Mercer Island,” Lindell said. “I have great respect for the majority of the City Council, city staff and the citizens. Filing this lawsuit was the hardest personal and professional decision I have ever made. Ultimately, however, I believe it was necessary to protect all employees in the workplace and to stand up for my family and protect my professional integrity. I look forward to starting the next chapter of my life and am hopeful that resolving this dispute will allow me to find a fulfilling legal or management job.”

Despite the gloss of the agreement, however, some expressed disappointment in the settlement.

"The I am very disappointed we never had our day in court," said Mayor Jim Pearman. "If we had had our day in court, we would have prevailed. I feel that Lindell's lawsuit was without merit, and I still feel that way very strongly." 

"I was never asked my opinion," he said. "(The WCIA) made a business decision."

(Ed. Note: A previous version of this story contained a paragraph explaining the circumstances of Lindell's termination from City Hall repeated an unattributed allegation that "City Manager Rich Conrad refused to discipline an employee". The statement was erroneously stated as fact, and has since been removed. Mercer Island Patch sincerely regrets the error.)