The City of Austin is gearing up for a legal battle in a workplace harassment lawsuit filed by former Austin Police Officer Samantha Liedtke. The City Council is set to approve a contract with the law firm Schmoyer Reinhard, LLP, which could cost between $293,000 and $367,000 for the defense of the case. This is in addition to the $60,724 already paid to the firm for their services. The funding for this contract comes from the city’s Liability Reserve Fund, which is replenished annually through contributions from city departments based on their previous fiscal year’s usage of the fund.
Liedtke’s attorneys have proposed a new settlement offer to the city, suggesting that instead of spending a significant amount on legal fees, the money should be allocated towards compensating Liedtke and implementing meaningful reforms to address the issues she faced as an officer. These reforms include providing all officers with training in a sexual assault victims advocate curriculum developed by SAFE Alliance, establishing stricter standards for reporting racial profiling data, preventing abuse of dispatch codes to avoid 911 calls, and mandating Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training for officers to improve de-escalation tactics.
The lawsuit was filed by Liedtke in July of 2023, following her resignation from the Austin Police Department due to alleged harassment, discrimination, and retaliation during her time as a patrol officer. One disturbing incident outlined in the suit involves Liedtke being berated, threatened, and intimidated by male colleagues after arriving to provide backup on a call. The suit claims that Liedtke was subjected to a hostile work environment, harassment, and retaliation by her colleagues and supervisors, resulting in emotional distress, humiliation, and financial losses.
The city’s decision to increase the contract with Schmoyer Reinhard was explained by a spokesperson, stating that while most lawsuits against the city are typically handled internally, external representation is sometimes necessary to manage the volume and complexity of legal actions. Liedtke’s attorneys have requested a response from the city regarding their settlement offer by September 13.
Subheadings:
Legal Defense Strategy: City Hires Pricey Law Firm
The city of Austin is preparing to defend itself in a workplace harassment lawsuit brought by former Austin Police Officer Samantha Liedtke. The City Council is being asked to approve a contract with the law firm Schmoyer Reinhard, LLP, which could cost between $293,000 and $367,000 for the defense of the case. This additional expenditure comes on top of the $60,724 already paid to the firm for their legal services. The funding for this contract is sourced from the city’s Liability Reserve Fund, which is replenished annually through contributions from city departments based on their previous fiscal year’s usage of the fund.
Plaintiff’s Settlement Offer: A Call for Meaningful Reform
In response to the city’s decision to allocate significant funds towards legal defense, Liedtke’s attorneys have proposed a new settlement offer. They suggest that instead of spending a large sum on legal fees, the money should be directed towards compensating Liedtke and implementing meaningful reforms to address the issues she faced as an officer. These reforms include providing officers with training in a sexual assault victims advocate curriculum developed by SAFE Alliance, establishing stricter reporting standards for racial profiling data, preventing abuse of dispatch codes to avoid 911 calls, and mandating Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training for officers to enhance de-escalation tactics.
Allegations of Harassment and Discrimination: The Case of Samantha Liedtke
The lawsuit filed by Liedtke in July of 2023 sheds light on the troubling experiences she endured during her time as a patrol officer with the Austin Police Department. One particularly disturbing incident detailed in the suit involves Liedtke being subjected to beratement, threats, and intimidation by male colleagues after responding to a backup call. The suit alleges that Liedtke faced a hostile work environment, harassment, and retaliation from her colleagues and supervisors, leading to emotional distress, humiliation, and financial losses.
By focusing on the key details and developments in the case, this rewritten article provides a comprehensive overview of the legal battle between Samantha Liedtke and the City of Austin.
