Accuser’s attorney phone calls $100K payout to ousted Stowe fire main ‘a reward for undesirable behavior’

The town of Stowe has achieved a $100,000 settlement with ex-Fireplace Main Kyle Walker, who was axed amid allegations that he repeatedly sexually assaulted a lady when he was a police officer, which include when he was on duty.

The offer was blasted Friday by an legal professional for the girl who produced the allegations versus Walker.

“It appears to be like, from our vantage level, it is a reward for undesirable habits,” mentioned Christina Nolan, attorney for Rachel Fisher. “It’s really hard to watch a 6-determine payout occur at the conclude of this.” 

In addition to the $100,000 payment, the offer amends the language the city is utilizing to describe Walker’s departure from his position as hearth chief, terming it a “resignation” alternatively than a firing. 

City Supervisor Charles Safford stated in December that he fired Walker as fireplace chief just after he unsuccessful to “regain community belief.” Walker had been taken off months previously from his law enforcement officer’s task with the city amid the sexual assault allegations but experienced been permitted to stay the hearth chief. 

Walker challenged his termination as fire chief, which resulted in the payment outside of court. As portion of the settlement, Walker waived his appropriate to sue the city.

Walker has said he had intercourse various times with Fisher, which include when he was on responsibility as a police officer, but claimed it was a consensual affair.

Vermont Point out Law enforcement investigated the allegations previous spring and forwarded its details to Washington County State’s Legal professional Rory Thibault. He declined to convey charges, declaring, in section, that there was not sufficient evidence to provide a case to trial.

The town’s selectboard accepted the $100,000 settlement at a meeting final month, as initial noted by the Stowe Reporter.  

Safford, the city manager, furnished VTDigger with the doc Friday labeled, “Agreed On Statement.” The two-paragraph assertion does not present any supplemental insight into why the settlement was attained or how the $100,000 determine was established.

The statement’s ultimate paragraph reads, “Kyle submitted a letter of resignation from all municipal positions effective December 16, 2021, and it was accepted by Town Manager Charles Safford. Neither intends to comment further more.” 

In addition to hearth main, Walker had served as the town’s overall health officer and unexpected emergency management director.

Safford did not return a cellphone get in touch with trying to get supplemental facts and did not solution emailed inquiries on where by the $100,000 would appear from to fork out the settlement.

Alternatively, he forwarded a url to the Stowe Reporter tale, which indicated that the cash would occur from insurance money. The newspaper reported that the town would have to pay back an insurance plan deductible, though it was not distinct how major the deductible would be. 

VTDigger submitted a public records ask for with the city Friday, trying to find a lot more facts on the payout.

Stowe Selectboard Chair Billy Adams did not return a connect with Friday afternoon seeking comment. 

Lisa Shelkrot, an attorney for Walker who signed the settlement doc, referred remark Friday to the co-counsel in the circumstance, law firm Carmen Ortiz, who was not offered Friday.

The city manager’s first determination very last year to continue to keep Walker on as fireplace chief, even with firing him as a law enforcement officer, led to weekly protests in downtown Stowe. Attendees sought to have Walker ousted from a occupation that experienced a wage of far more than $80,000 a 12 months.

Walker’s $100,000 settlement with the city is on major of the $24,544 test that he gained in December when he was fired, masking accrued time off, and a $782 check out to protect time he labored in the week prior to his termination.

The 7-site settlement document involving the city and Walker said that he “desires to voluntarily settle and compromise” any statements with the city. The settlement doc also stated that both of those sides “deny that they have any legal responsibility to or have committed any wrongful functions from any opposing occasion or any other particular person.”

Nolan, Fisher’s legal professional, explained Friday that the language of the settlement, terming Walker’s departure as fireplace main a resignation somewhat than a termination, was about.  

“We assume the city experienced sufficient grounds to fire Walker, both when they did and ahead of they did,” Nolan said. “We undoubtedly believe they were justified in producing the termination.”

Nolan, though slamming the $100,000 payout to Walker, praised her client’s bravery in coming forward and speaking out publicly.

“What she has done for survivors and on behalf of survivors is priceless,” the legal professional stated.