DOVER — At a special session Monday, city council approved an ordinance authorizing the law director to hire outside legal counsel to defend city employees against lawsuits filed by Mayor Richard Homrighausen.
The legislation authorizes representation for Law Director Doug O'Meara, Service Director Dave Douglas, Safety/Human Resources Director Gerry Mroczkowski and Eva Newsome, the mayor's executive assistant.
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In December, Homrighausen fired Douglas, Mroczkowski and Newsome, but all three have been restored to their jobs after the State Personnel Board of Review approved a settlement between the city and the fired employees.
Last week, Homrighausen filed a civil suit claiming that the agreement is "void and has no legal effect." Named as defendants are the city of Dover itself, O'Meara, Newsome, Douglas and Mroczkowski.
Dover has already hired outside legal counsel to defend itself in a lawsuit filed by Dover Chemical Corp. over electricity rates.
"For some time, as it relates to the Dover Chemical thing, we've heard from the mayor about the cost of litigation and how we should avoid it, how it opens the city up to additional liability," Council President Shane Gunnoe said.
"In this situation, quite frankly, he's engaging in legal action against the city and opening us up for additional...
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