Cary settles suit with fired official

A former Cary public works official has settled his federal lawsuit against the village, ending 16 months of litigation over claims he was fired for complaints about village employees working on elected officials' private property.

Cary officials and the attorney for Robin Mohr confirmed the out-of-court agreement Friday, but declined to disclose terms of the settlement. Mohr's attorney, Keith Hunt, said the deal includes a confidentiality provision barring him from discussing the terms.

"Robin is satisfied with the resolution and he feels vindicated," Hunt said.

Cary Mayor Steve Lamal said he was pleased that the civil rights case settled out of court and both sides could put the matter behind them.

Lamal and other village officials said Friday they were not aware of the exact settlement terms because the matter had been handled primarily by the Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency, an insurance cooperative of northeastern Illinois governments.

Mohr, the village's former assistant director of maintenance, sued the village in January 2007, claiming Cary officials unlawfully fired him in August 2005 for being too outspoken over policies and the use of village workers.

Among his complaints, the lawsuit alleged, was that village employees removed a tree from Lamal's property and delivered mulch to the homes of village trustees. Lamal and other village officials denied those claims.

Cary officials said Mohr, a village employee for 30 years, was fired after failing a random drug test. Court documents state he tested positive for marijuana in July 2005 after returning home from a trip to Jamaica.

Besides back pay and punitive damages, Mohr's lawsuit was seeking reinstatement to his previous job with the village. However, Hunt said Mohr now planned to remain at his current job with the Cuba Township highway department.