Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration has agreed to pay $100,000 to settle whistleblower complaints by two city treasurer employees who alleged they were improperly fired, records obtained by the Tribune show.
Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin dismissed her chief of staff, Tiffany Harper, in late 2020, as well as three other workers, as part of what she called an office shakeup. Harper and Ashley Evans, the treasurer’s former chief impact officer, alleged that their firings “violated the Illinois whistleblower act, federal laws, and a city ordinance,” according to a copy of their settlement agreement with the city.
Lightfoot’s law department settled the case last month, records show. Harper and Evans will each get $41,000 while their attorney will get $18,000 shows.
The agreement between the workers and city officials stipulates that Harper and Evans must keep the agreement confidential.
“If individuals other than Harper’s and Evans’ attorneys, tax advisors, or immediate family members living in their homes ask about this matter, they will inform them only that the matter has been resolved,” the agreement said.
It’s not clear what Harper and Evans specifically allege happened. But in an email to Steve Berlin, executive director of the city’s ethics board, Harper said she believes she and two other officials were let go “without cause or reason.”
“I have no doubt that our terminations are related to our refusal to participate in the illegal and unethical conduct that...
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