News-Record.com

Attorneys for the officers who have filed discrimination complaints against the city said they intend to file a breach of contract claim against the Greensboro.

Attorneys complained to the city attorney about the publication of the clients' names in the Rhinoceros Times. Rhino Editor John Hammer got the names in a package of documents he requested from the city -- a release Greensboro claims was a mistake.

The officers' attorney Jason Knight says the release of the names and the leak of closed session discussions about settling the discrimination complaints were a violation of the confidentiality agreement signed when the city started negotiations to settle the complaints, according to letters sent to the city attorney. He said it caused the officers to be damaged in the amount of $750,000 -- the settlement offered and then rescinded by City Council.

Knight gave the city a week after the Dec. 2 council meeting to consider paying the officers $750,000 in damages before they would file a civil breach of contract suit.

City Attorney Terry Wood responded to Knight via letter this week, arguing that there was no link between the publication of the information and the settlement issues.

"The City certainly did not release information for retaliatory reasons, as you suggest in your letter," Wood wrote to Knight.

Woods said the city would vigorously defend any breach of contract claim.

So far, the officers haven't filed a suit. But Scoop will keep an eye out for that. Meanwhile, the discrimination complaints will be in the hands of the Justice Department to determine whether the employees have the right to sue Greensboro.