Settlement imminent in Marley vs. City of Fernandina Beach whistleblower suit

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
January 25, 2016 12:00 p.m.

The Fernandina Observer learned Saturday morning that a settlement is near in the whistleblower lawsuit that fired Human Resources Director Robin Marley filed against the City of Fernandina Beach in 2014. Jacksonville attorney Tad Delegal represents Marley in this action. The case was scheduled to go to trial on February 22. Although final details have not yet been reduced to writing or approved by the Fernandina Beach City Commission, judges have been notified that parties have agreed to settle.

City Attorney Tammi Bach had no comment when contacted.

Marley was fired from her position as Human Resources Director by then-City Manager Joe Gerrity in October 2014. She sued the City alleging that she was fired in violation of Florida’s Whistleblower Act for reporting and disclosing an act or suspected acts of “gross mismanagement” within the City’s Fire Department to City Manager Joe Gerrity. The city’s motion to dismiss the suit was denied.

The Fernandina Observer initially agreed to delay running with this story until the final details of the settlement had been approved by the Fernandina Beach City Commission. However, subsequently we learned that the information that a settlement had been reached had been more widely distributed to area media than we had initially believed. We will follow up with more details as they become available.

Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.