WILLIAMSPORT - The attorney for former Northumberland County Prison deputy warden John Conrad and his wife reported the lawsuit they filed against Northumberland County was settled for $87,500.
Attorney Joshua J. Cochran, of the Schemery Zicolello law firm, Williamsport, confirmed the amount, but offered no other comments about the case, which was settled Nov. 15.
The deputy warden and his wife, Lisa, filed the lawsuit in 2009 after Conrad was first suspended without pay in February 2009 and was fired one month later.
Conrad alleged a conspiracy against him, wrongful termination, defamation and violation of due process, equal protection rights and whistleblower rights in the lawsuit. His wife's claim was for a loss of consortium.
The couple had filed the suit in U.S. Middle District Court and named the county, its prison board, county President Judge Robert Sacavage, district attorney Tony Rosini, sheriff Chad Reiner, commissioner Vinny Clausi, former commissioners Kurt Masser and Frank Sawicki, former county controller Charles Erdman and former prison warden Ralph "Rick" Reish as defendants. On Nov. 14, U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III dismissed all defendants from the suit, except the county.
Later that day, Cochran submitted a letter to Jones, stating the suit had been settled.
"Please be advised the parties have reached an agreement to resolve the above-captioned matter. Accordingly, the Court can issue its standard dismissal order," it read in part.