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City pays woman $30,000 to settle suit

Saturday, September 27, 2008
(Updated 5:46 am)

GREENSBORO — The city is paying $30,000 to settle a lawsuit with a woman who says police interrogated her for hours at a hotel room, court records show.

The settlement with Jamestown resident Nicole Pettiford and her husband, Anthony, was signed Tuesday by the Pettifords, according to a settlement agreement. City officials released the agreement Friday after the city manager signed it.

Neither party admits any wrongdoing, according to the settlement.

“We’re just trying to bring it to an end and have everyone satisfied with it and move on with life,” said Terry Wood, the city’s attorney.

The Pettifords sued Greensboro in federal court in 2006, claiming police officers violated Nicole Pettiford’s constitutional rights. They were seeking $20,000 each.

Nicole Pettiford claimed in her lawsuit that in November 2004, she was questioned for hours at a local hotel about a suspected leak of information from the police department regarding an ongoing federal case.

The agreement also includes a confidentiality clause that prohibits either side — other than where required by law — from releasing any information about the settlement. Public agencies must release the terms of any settlement, according to state public records law.

But that clause does prohibit either side from discussing the issues alleged in the lawsuit, Wood said.

The Pettifords’ lawsuit marks the second settlement reached in cases involving the police this year. In April, the city settled a federal lawsuit over retirement benefits for former Deputy Chief Randall Brady, who retired in 2005.

Both cases stem from a time of great turmoil for the police department, including complaints of racial discrimination and an SBI inquiry into possible criminal misconduct by police officials. The scandal forced the resignation of the former chief, David Wray, in early 2006.

Two other lawsuits stemming from that time period remain unresolved, Wood said.

Greensboro police Officer Julius Fulmore sued in May 2007, and Lt. James Hinson sued in May of this year.

Wood would not comment on whether settlements were being considered in those cases.

Contact Jennifer Fernandez at 373-7064 or jennifer.fernandez@news-record.com

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