passed ordinance 2025-417

*Pay settlement of Adam Gregg lawsuit in the sum of $300,000 involving the Portland Police Bureau

public safety
claim settlement

Department: Risk Management
Service area: City Operations
Introduced by: Mayor Keith Wilson
Status: Passed

Impact statement

Purpose & background

This Ordinance settles a lawsuit brought by Adam Gregg, relating to a 2015 conviction for delivery of heroin in Multnomah County Circuit Court that was vacated in 2022.

Financial impacts

This legislation will have no impact on City revenue. Total cost to the City to settle the Litigation is $300,000. The source of funding is the City’s Insurance and Claims Fund. All cost of the settlement is in the current fiscal year. This Ordinance does not amend the budget.

Economic impacts

Not applicable

Community impacts

This Ordinance settles a lawsuit related to a 2015 conviction for delivery of heroin in Multnomah County Circuit Court that was vacated in 2022 and involved an arrest and police reports involving the Portland Police Bureau. No public involvement or input was sought regarding this Ordinance. The City Attorney’s Office and Risk Management have concluded that it is not appropriate to have public involvement in settlement negotiations regarding tort claims or lawsuits against the City. No future public involvement is anticipated or necessary. Approval by City Council of this Ordinance will fully settle a lawsuit against the City of Portland.

▸ Full text (the legislation as adopted)

The City of Portland ordains. Section 1. The Council finds: Adam Gregg has filed a lawsuit against the City for damages involving the Portland Police Bureau. The lawsuit relates to an arrest and police reports from Portland Police Bureau for a 2015 arrest and later conviction for delivery of heroin. Gregg served approximately 65 months of his sentence and his conviction was later vacated in 2022. The claim has been investigated by Risk Management Services. The investigation indicates there is risk the City may be found liable. Therefore, in order to avoid the risk of an adverse jury award, it is prudent to compromise the lawsuit at this time. City Attorney, Risk Management Services, and the Portland Police Bureau recommend the litigation be compromised for the total sum of $300,000, subject to the claimant providing the City with a release in a form to be approved by the City Attorney. NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs: The City Administrator is authorized to settle the lawsuit in the amount of $300,000. Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists in order to avoid undue and costly delay in settling this bodily injury lawsuit; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.

Tally

11 yea 1 nay