A former Federal Way Municipal Court supervisor who sued the city will be paid $80,000, according to a proposed settlement with the city released in a City Council packet.
The council will vote tonight whether to approve the agreement with Cindy Roque, who sued the city in May. She claims she was fired because she reported to her supervisor that Judge Michael Morgan made threats to harm himself and others.
Roque did not specify damages in her lawsuit but sought $500,000 in damages in her prior wrongful termination claim.
In her lawsuit, Roque claims a court employee told her in November 2008 that Morgan, the court’s presiding judge, had threatened suicide.
Roque, who worked as court services supervisor, claims Morgan later told her an investigation under way by the state Commission on Judicial Conduct would ruin his career and affect his family.
Morgan made an apparent threat during an earlier conversation with Roque, saying he was not “going down” without taking others with him, according to the lawsuit filed in King County Superior Court. Morgan has repeatedly denied threatening to harm himself or others. He recently lost his re-election bid for a second term as one of two Municipal Court judges.
The agreement with Roque was reached through mediation. The city’s insurance carrier will pay for the settlement.
Roque told The News Tribune on Monday that she had no comment.
Today’s regular council meeting starts at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 33325 Eighth Ave. S.
Steve Maynard, The News Tribune
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