A federal civil rights lawsuit against the Chattanooga Police Department by a man who claimed his free speech rights were violated when an officer arrested him as he picketed outside Calvary Chapel Chattanooga was settled Friday afternoon.
“It was a fair settlement for all concerned, and I commend the city for taking the high road and agreeing to mediate a resolution,” Robin Flores, attorney for Titus Hartford, told the Chattanooga Times Free Press in an email on Friday afternoon. “It’s refreshing to see a local government do so.”
The $29,000 settlement is pending approval by the City Council on Aug. 9, Flores said. He said it was reached after almost three hours of closed mediation. Flores told the Times Free Press he was satisfied with the result he obtained for his client.
Ellis Smith, a spokesman for the city, confirmed the settlement negotiations had taken place.
“I can’t comment further because the case is still pending before a judge,” Smith said.