Suzanne Swierc will receive $225,000 in a settlement following her termination from Ball State University. Swierc was fired for a private Facebook post criticizing conservative activist Charlie Kirk after his death, which the university claimed caused significant disruption. The ACLU argued the firing violated Swierc’s free speech rights as she was speaking as a private citizen on a matter of public concern. Ball State stated the settlement was a financially prudent decision compared to litigation costs, citing the potential harm to student enrollment and fundraising caused by the controversy.
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Ball State University has settled a lawsuit for $225,000 with a former employee whose termination over a private Facebook post about conservative activist Charlie Kirk was alleged to violate her free-speech rights. The university cited significant campus disruption and potential harm to enrollment and fundraising as reasons for the dismissal, but the ACLU argued the employee was speaking as a private citizen on a matter of public concern, protected by the First Amendment. This settlement follows similar cases where employees were terminated for social media comments about Kirk’s death, resulting in six-figure settlements for the affected individuals.
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Tennessee officials have agreed to a $835,000 settlement with Larry Bushart, a retired police officer who was incarcerated for 37 days after sharing a Facebook meme. The meme, which referenced an Iowa school shooting and included a quote attributed to Donald Trump, was deemed threatening by authorities despite Bushart’s insistence that it was protected speech. This case highlights a rare instance where online expression led to criminal prosecution, resulting in significant personal and professional repercussions for Bushart. The settlement underscores the importance of respecting First Amendment rights, particularly in times of heightened tension and civil discourse.
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A man wrongfully convicted of murder will receive $5.25 million in a settlement after spending nearly 21 years in prison. Jeff Titus was released and his convictions were vacated when evidence surfaced suggesting an Ohio serial killer might have been responsible for the deaths of two hunters in 1990. Investigators and the Innocence Clinic at the University of Michigan law school discovered a file detailing an alternate suspect, Thomas Dillon, who had confessed to similar killings. This settlement follows accusations that police withheld crucial evidence that could have aided Titus’s defense.
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A settlement appears to be in progress that would halt any IRS audits concerning Donald Trump, his family, and his businesses, as reported by The New York Times. This potential agreement aims to avoid the complication of Trump having to declare audit proceeds to charity, though its monetary value remains unquantifiable due to the unknown penalties. Given the likelihood that any existing audits would not be resolved during his presidency, Trump’s legal team may be seeking indemnification against future IRS actions, similar to past broad immunity granted. Internal tensions between Trump and his legal counsel, coupled with his aversion to losing money, suggest this settlement possibility may be a tactic to gauge his reaction.
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President Donald Trump and his family are reportedly in discussions with the Internal Revenue Service to settle a $10 billion lawsuit without proceeding to trial. Trump filed the suit after taking office, alleging an IRS contractor leaked his private tax information, a move he declined to make public during his presidency, unlike most modern presidents. The ongoing negotiations aim to avoid protracted litigation, with court documents indicating a “limited pause” to explore resolution avenues. However, Democrats have criticized the suit, suggesting Trump seeks to profit from taxpayer funds rather than seek compensation for actual harm.
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A $31.5 million settlement has been reached in a lawsuit concerning the death of 11-year-old Arabella McCormack, who was allegedly tortured and starved by her adoptive family. The settlement includes contributions from the city and county of San Diego, as well as Pacific Coast Academy and the Rock Church, following claims of systemic failures to report the abuse. The suit, brought on behalf of Arabella’s two younger sisters, alleged that social workers, teachers, and a police officer failed to act on abuse claims. The adoptive parents and grandparents are facing murder and child abuse charges, while the sisters are now in foster care.
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Following an antitrust lawsuit filed by Michael Jordan and 23XI Racing against NASCAR, a settlement was reached after an eight-day trial, granting all teams permanent charters. The agreement, celebrated by Jordan and NASCAR chairman Jim France, will allow a focus on racing, ending months of disputes. The settlement also ensured revenue sharing changes and will return 23XI and Front Row their charters in 2026. The resolution came after testimony revealed internal communications that, in the judge’s opinion, was great for NASCAR and the future of the sport.
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Starbucks has agreed to pay approximately $35 million to over 15,000 New York City workers to settle claims related to unstable schedules and arbitrary hour cuts. The company will also pay $3.4 million in civil penalties and must comply with the city’s Fair Workweek law moving forward. Investigations, launched in 2022 due to numerous worker complaints, revealed that most employees faced irregular schedules and reduced hours, hindering their ability to plan. This settlement also includes reinstatement opportunities for employees laid off during recent store closures.
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In a significant development stemming from the controversial August 2023 raid on the Marion County Record, Marion County has agreed to pay over $3 million and issue an apology. The settlement, which involved federal lawsuits filed by the newspaper’s parent company, employees, and others, aims to discourage similar actions against news organizations. The raid, led by the former police chief, sparked national debate on press freedom, and the county sheriff issued an apology. Legal claims against the city and city officials remain unresolved, and the former police chief is set for trial in February on related charges.
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John Q. Hosedrinker