Union County approves $500,000 settlement in suit involving prosecutor's office

The Union County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously (8-0, Commissioner Alexander Mirabella absent) on Feb. 26 to authorize a settlement in the matter Meghan Tomlinson v. Union County Prosecutor's Office, Docket No. UNN-L-02518-23, in an amount not to exceed $500,000.

County Counsel Bruce H. Bergen advised the board that a motion for summary judgment in the case had been denied and that the county's insurance company recommended settling the matter. The board's authorization assigns $181,000 to be paid by the County of Union and the remaining $319,000 to be paid by Chubb Insurance Company, the insurance carrier.

The motion to approve the settlement was made by Commissioner James E. Baker, Jr. and seconded by Vice‑Chair Rebecca L. Williams; roll call showed eight members voted in the affirmative with Commissioner Mirabella absent. County Counsel Bergen provided the legal context for the settlement during the public-comment responses earlier in the meeting.