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Concern was expressed over the use of the word “Filed” in the headline and content of the following story. The word “Filed” has been corrected in this re-issue of the story with the words in all-caps. I appreciate the feedback over the original story which remains in tact with the exception of the sentences with the all-caps words. A further note is included at the end of this story.
A Notice of Claim from Executive Director Adam Massey has been
DELIVERED TO
the Uintah Transportation Special Service District. The document was
SIGNED
on December 8th
listing Adam Massey as the Claimant submitting the “Notice of Claim for damages against the Uintah Transportation Special Service District.” The notice is addressed to Mr. Dan Dilsaver, who was Chairman of the District at that time. The claims listed include “breach of employment contract, violation of open meetings laws, hostile work environment, constructive termination, employment discrimination, and civil rights violation.” Massey indicates an estimate of damages based on lost commissions, lost wages, attorney fees, and other damages “in a total amount most likely exceeding $5 million dollars.” Massey was placed on leave after being presented a memo from Board Chairman Dan Dilsaver in the presence of a law enforcement officer
on September 11th
, the same day that an audit of the District by the State Auditor’s Office began. The UTSSD board lifted the suspension
on December 13th.
Mr. Massey has since resumed his position as the Executive Director for the UTSSD.
NOTE:
I can see now that the word “Filed” would bring your average reader to think of the word “Lawsuit.” Because of the research done in advance of the story I did understand that a Notice of Claim is not synonymous with a Lawsuit though it certainly could lead to one. In simplest terms to my understanding, a Notice of Claim can be given to a government entity claiming something is owed (In this case, damages for the list of claims quoted in the story above against the UTSSD). The entity, the District in this case, can then evaluate the Notice of Claim and decide whether to engage in negotiations or not. There are legal timelines in place to keep the process moving along to a conclusion. This news story simply reports that a Notice of Claim was delivered or given to the Uintah Transportation Special Service District. – Kristin Forbis
https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title63G/Chapter7/C63G-7-P4_1800010118000101.pdf
