HARTFORD – A former state worker who sued after being fired in a high-profile whistleblower case involving the Governor’s office and state health officials last year has been paid a settlement of nearly $45,000 for his agreement not to appeal or talk about details of the case, which was dismissed in October by a Superior Court judge.
The settlement with former Department of Public Health spokesman Av Harris also bans him from seeking a state job for five years, but credits him with extra months of employment that will allow him to receive state medical benefits upon his retirement.
Attorney General William Tong, whose office defended the state, said Thursday in a statement sent by a spokesperson that “although the Court granted our motion to dismiss, by entering into the settlement Mr. Harris has given up his right to appeal that decision and to bring any additional related legal claims that he might have asserted.”
The 11-page agreement, released by Tong’s office through a state Freedom of Information request, asserts that the state “denies any unlawful conduct” and that the settlement is “for the sole purpose of avoiding further expense and inconvenience to all parties.”
The office of Gov. Ned Lamont did not respond to a request for comment.
Harris, 46, recently hired as communications director for the Concord Coalition in Washington, D.C., said in a statement that he commends Lamont’s office and Department of Public Health for “working with us to find a fair and just...
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