City of Fort Worth spending millions to resolve pair of whistleblower lawsuits

The city of Fort Worth is grappling with the financial implications of two whistleblower lawsuits, prompting concerns among some city leaders.

In April, the Fort Worth city council approved a significant expenditure, earmarking up to $2 million to address a lawsuit filed by former police chief Joel Fitzgerald and agreeing to pay $850,000 to settle a case brought by former city crime lab scientist Trisa Crutcher.

Crutcher alleged that she was terminated for reporting numerous violations of state and federal law within the crime lab, including mishandling DNA evidence and sexual assault cases. On the other hand, Fitzgerald’s lawsuit claimed wrongful termination after he reported to the FBI about the city’s alleged mishandling of online crime data and improper document destruction.

Chris Nettles, a city council member, expressed reservations about the allocation of funds for litigation, suggesting that settling the lawsuits might have been a more prudent use of taxpayer money.

Nettles emphasized the potential financial repercussions for the city if they were to lose the case, especially considering the $2 million already spent on legal fees.

The lawsuits have raised concerns among some city leaders about the need for organizational change and improved training for personnel.

In response to inquiries about Fitzgerald’s lawsuit and concerns regarding workplace culture, a spokesperson for the city of Fort Worth reiterated their commitment to vigorously defending against the allegations and stated that mediation attempts were unsuccessful.

The city emphasized its careful consideration of litigation costs and potential losses versus settlement amounts, underscoring its commitment to responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources in determining its litigation strategy.