FORT WORTH, Texas — WFAA has learned the City of Fort Worth intends to discuss a possible settlement with former Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald during an executive session in August.
Fitzgerald is suing the city and the Fort Worth Police Department. Fitzgerald alleges that city employees lied about complying with regulations to access a federal law enforcement database and that they destroyed evidence to cover up their wrongdoing.
Fitzgerald also claims that the city violated his whistleblower rights and failed to follow its grievance procedures when it fired him back in May 2019.
The City hired Fitzgerald as its police chief in 2015 and terminated his employment on May 20, 2019. Fitzgerald filed a suit claiming wrongful termination on June 6, 2019, alleging the City terminated him because he disclosed illegal practices by the City involving access to the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Systems database.
In his petition, Fitzgerald alleged that after a termination meeting with Fort Worth City manager David Cooke, the city called a press conference to announce his termination. Fitzgerald claims that the press conference violated the law and the Texas Constitution. He also claims Cooke released the termination memo to the press and disparaged his character to the press.
So far, the City of Fort Worth has paid more than one million dollars in legal fees related to the case. The legal battle has been ongoing and the city appealed the case to the Texas Supreme Court.
A city spokesperson confirmed staff would discuss settling the Fitzgerald lawsuit in an August executive session with council members.
The City Council will meet four times in August. On Aug. 6, the city council will host a work session at 1 p.m. and a public comment meeting a 6 p.m., on Aug. 13, the city council will meet at 6 p.m., on Aug. 20 the city council will hold another work session at 1 p.m.
