Markeshia Ricks Photo
Luiz Casanova.
Assistant Police Chief Luiz Casanova retired and dropped a federal lawsuit against the city in return for $82,500 and a purging of his disciplinary record.
His retirement followed extensive negotiations over terms of his departure, settling unfinished business stemming from a federal lawsuit he had filed against the city. The city late Thursday released a copy of the settlement agreement to the Independent in response to a Connecticut Freedom of Information Act request. The city had been withholding release of the document pending the filing of a stipulated judgment and dismissal in federal court, which have now happened.
Click here to read the settlement agreement.
The agreement reveals that the city paid Casanova $82,500 and his attorney $12,500 to drop a suit charging the Harp administration with racial bias after Casanova applied to become chief and the mayor chose Anthony Campbell, who is African-American, instead. Casanova, who is Hispanic, charged he was the victim of racial discrimination. His suit asked a federal judge to order Harp to name him the chief.
“[T]he CITY strongly denies all of CASANOVA’s claims, charges and allegations that the CITY discriminated or retaliated against CASANOVA,” reads one of the settlement’s “whereas” clauses. It further states the city is paying the settlement money “to avoid the uncertainty, expense and burden of proceedings in court.”
Casanova agreed not to file further suits against the city. He also agreed not to apply for any city jobs. The settlement does allow the city to “unilaterally waive” that provision.
Under another provision the city agreed “to segregate documentation related to investigations of CASANOVA from CASANOVA’s personnel file from 2015 to the present.”
“Mayor Toni N. Harp will provide CASANOVA with a reference letter concerning his employment with the CITY,” the agreement stipulates.
Meanwhile, Casanova has endorsed Harp’s Democratic primary opponent, Justin Elicker, in this year’s mayoral race.