A lawsuit over deputies' pension benefits in Knox County has finally been settled.
In October, Knox County commissioners voted to tell the law director to drop a lawsuit by Knox County against several former sheriff's deputies over pension compensation. About a week later, the chancellor ruled that if the mayor wants the law director to drop the suit, then that's what needs to happen.
The ongoing lawsuit concerning the Uniformed Officers Pension Plan (UOPP) was successfully mediated last week and a $97,500 settlement between Knox County and the attorneys who represented the class, current deputies and Renee Ricker, widow of Dennis Ricker, was officially accepted before a judge Thursday morning.
“This lawsuit put an unnecessary strain on our county government, our Sheriff’s office and our taxpayers,” said Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. “I’m glad to see it finally resolved and that the deputies, as well as their families, will get what was promised to them. Also, I greatly appreciate the support of Knox County Commission Chair Nystrom, Vice Chair Carringer and Commissioners Gill, Smith, Anders, Jay and Biggs.”
This settlement announcement is the culmination of over a year of litigation surrounding the UOPP and the Knox County Retirement & Pension Board.