2013 Settlement Agreement between David Bashore and Radnor Township
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Transcript of 2013 Settlement Agreement between David Bashore and Radnor Township
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WHEREAS, Bashore dual-filed a complaint, dated May 11, 2009, and an amended
complaint, dated July 23, 2009, against Osborne and the Township, with the Pennsylvania Human
Relations Commission (PHRC) (PHRC Case No. 200805700) and the U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (EEOC) (EEOC Case No. 17F200962137), alleging workplace
discrimination, harassment and hostility and the aiding and abetting thereof and other claims
(Discrimination Complaints); and
WHEREAS, on or about December 14, 2009, the Bashores filed a privacy action against the
Board of Commissioners of Radnor Township, Joseph S. Barbagallo and Marcum LLP, Radnor
Township Forensic Auditors, in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas at Docket No. 09-
16265 (Privacy Action) alleging the improper release of certain joint tax returns; and
WHEREAS, subsequently, the parties in the Privacy Action filed a Stipulation for voluntary
dismissal of the Privacy Action against Defendants, Radnor Township Board of Commissioners on
or about May 19, 2010, however, Bashores right to proceed with its causes of action against
Barbagallo and Marcum were not affected by the dismissal of the Commissioner Defendants; and
WHEREAS, on or about December 16, 2009, Osborne, in his capacity as the elected
Township Treasurer, filed a surcharge action against Bashore in the Delaware County Court of
Common Pleas (Court) at Docket No. 09-16582 for the benefit of the Township, alleging the
unauthorized expenditure of $1,008,512 in Township funds while Bashore served as Manager
(Surcharge); and
WHEREAS, on or about February 19, 2010, Bashore filed with the Court a Petition to Open
Judgment on said Surcharge and to dismiss the surcharges entered against him; and
WHEREAS, any further action on the Surcharge and Petition has been stayed as a result of a
Stipulation of Counsel representing the parties filed with the Court on or about August 25, 2010; and
WHEREAS, in a letter dated April 28, 2010, The Hartford Fire Insurance Company
(Hartford) demanded that Bashore reimburse the Township an amount up to $1,064,677.68 for
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alleged losses incurred while Bashore served as Manager, and Hartford further advised Bashore that,
in lieu of such reimbursement, it would seek recovery from him if it were required to make payment
to the Township; and
WHEREAS, in an agreement dated May 24, 2010, the Township and Bashore settled a
dispute solely regarding a housing loan the Township provided to Bashore pursuant to Section 14 of
his Contract; and
WHEREAS, as a result of a consent agreement Bashore entered into with the Pennsylvania
State Ethics Commission (Commission), and Order No. 1563 issued on October 19, 2010, by the
Commission pursuant thereto, Bashore has repaid the sum of $55,331.21 (equivalent to $81,500 on a
pre-tax basis) to the Township for certain compensation he received in 2004-2008 that was not
expressly authorized by the Township, receipt of which is acknowledged by the Township; and
WHEREAS, on or about December 1, 2010, Hartford reimbursed the Township the sum of
$500,000.00 for certain insurance claims submitted by the Township involving alleged losses
incurred by the Township while Bashore served as Manager; and
WHEREAS, Bashore claims that he is entitled to $102,300 (on a gross, pre-tax basis) for
1,114 hours of unused vacation and personal leave accumulated as of April 13, 2009, $990 (on a
gross, pre-tax basis) for longevity pay for Bashores employment from January 1, 2009, through
April 13, 2009, $74,218 (on a gross, pre-tax basis) payable when he reaches his normal retirement
age of 62 on June 2, 2018, representing 45% of the value of 1,796 hours of unused sick leave
accumulated as of April 13, 2009, and an amount in excess of $100,000 pursuant to Section 17 of his
employment agreement for certain legal expenses he incurred (collectively Accrued Leave and
Benefit Pay); and
WHEREAS, Bashore contends that the Township has wrongfully interfered with his legal
right to make withdrawals from his ICMA-RC Section 457 tax-deferred compensation account (the
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457 Plan) and from his after-tax retirement savings plan account (Group No. 59736) administered
by John Hancock or its successors or assigns (the John Hancock Plan); and
WHEREAS, on April 12, 2011, the Township filed a petition for supplementary relief in aid
of execution to preserve and prevent dissipation of property, subject to levy or execution, freezing
any withdrawals from Bashores 457 Plan and/or John Hancock Plan (Petition in Aid of
Execution); and
WHEREAS, on or about May 13, 2011, Bashore filed an Answer to the Townships Petition
in Aid of Execution; and
WHEREAS, Bashore and the Township appeared before the Court of Common Pleas on
December 7, 2011, January 10, 2012, February 14, 2012, and April 10, 2012 for settlement
discussions with the court; and
WHEREAS, the court on April 10, 2012 approved a settlement of all outstanding claims,
subject to the preparation and approval by the parties of a written Settlement Agreement to be
entered as an order of the court.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED by and among the undersigned parties as follows:
1. Consideration.
a. The Bashores agree to forever waive and release all claims to Accrued Leave and Benefit
Pay in the amount of $277,508.
b. No later than ten days after court approval of this Agreement, Bashore shall withdraw or
cause to have withdrawn, with prejudice, all claims and actions he now has pending
against the Township, its current and former elected officials, and Osborne, including, but
not necessarily limited to, Case Nos. 200805700 and 17F200962137, before the PHRC
and the EEOC, respectively.
c. No later than ten days after court approval of this Agreement, the Township shall file
with the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County an Order to Mark Judgment
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Satisfied in the Surcharge action, and to withdraw or cause to have withdrawn, with
prejudice, all other claims and actions now pending against Bashore, including, but not
necessarily limited to, the Petition for Supplementary Relief in Aid of Execution to
Preserve and Prevent Dissipation of Property Subject to Levy or Execution filed in the
Surcharge Action on or about April 12, 2011.
d. No later than ten days after court approval of this Agreement, Bashore shall withdraw, or
cause to have withdrawn, with prejudice, all claims and actions he now has pending
against Barbagallo and Marcum in the case docketed at 09-16265 in the Delaware County
Court of Common Pleas.
e. Bashore will pay $80,000 to the Township, $10,000 in cash, check or money order within
30 days from court approval of this Agreement, with the balance of $70,000 to be paid in
nine equal annual payments of $7,778.00 beginning on January 15, 2016. The fourth
through ninthpayments will be deducted from Bashores Township Pension commencing
on January 1, 2019, and shall be deducted in equal amounts of $3,889.00 during the first
two months of each of those years from 2019 through 2024. Nothing in this Agreement
shall prevent Bashore from paying any balance due earlier than as provided for herein.
f. The Township acknowledges that Bashore is entitled to a monthly pension benefit and
certain death, survivor and other related benefits under the Townships Civilian
Employees Pension Plan, all as contained in Chapter 62, Article I of the Townships
Administrative Code (Plan), and that Bashore shall receive such monthly pension
benefit commencing July 1, 2018. Under the Township's pension calculation, dated
November 16, 2012, attached hereto as Exhibit A, Bashore shall receive a monthly
pension benefit of either (i) $6,481 as the normal 10-year certain and continuous form of
benefit, or (ii) $6,193 as the optional joint and 50% survivor benefit, or (iii) $5,592 as the
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optional joint and 100% survivor benefit, which option he shall select prior to July 1,
2018.
g. The Bashores will execute an asset disclosure affidavit concurrently with court approval
of this Agreement. This asset disclosure affidavit shall be considered an integral part of
this settlement, and enforceable by the court. However, because of the detailed nature of
the personal financial information contained therein, especially as it relates to Kelly
Bashore, the asset disclosure affidavit shall be considered confidential, shall be filed with
the Court under seal, and shall not be subject to disclosure under the Pennsylvania Right
to Know Act or any similar statute or ordinance. Furthermore, the only copy of the asset
disclosure affidavit retained by the Township or Osborne shall be a copy maintained in
the offices of the Townships solicitor. In the event the Township determines that the
asset disclosure affidavit was either incomplete or deficient in any material respect in
terms of full disclosure of all assets, the Township shall have the right to petition the
court for a determination as to whether the affidavit was in fact incomplete or deficient in
any material respect, and for monetary fines and penalties. Any such Petition, and any
response thereto, shall be filed under seal unless and until the Court orders otherwise.
h. The Township shall, within 30 days from court approval of this Agreement, immediately
complete, approve, sign, and return any paperwork that may be requested by Bashore that
is necessary to effectuate any withdrawals and/or transfers of Bashores assets held in an
after-tax retirement savings plan account (Group No. 59736) administered by John
Hancock or its successors or assigns.
i. The Township shall, within 30 days from court approval of this Agreement, immediately
complete, sign, and return any paperwork that may be requested by Bashore that is
necessary to effectuate any withdrawals and/or transfers of Bashores assets held in trus t
in a Section 457 tax-deferred compensation plan account administered by the
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International City/County Management Association Retirement Corporation or its
successors or assigns.
2. Releases.
a. The Bashores hereby release the Township, all of its current and former elected and
appointed officials, and Osborne (collectively, the Township Releases) from all claims
he ever had or might now have against them arising out of or relating in any way to his
employment with the Township, or the termination of that employment. This release
applies to all claims whether or not he is now or ever was aware that they existed, and
also to the continuing or future consequences of those claims. This release does not apply
to any claims that might arise in the future due to acts beyond the date of this Agreement
and approval by the court.
i. The claims Bashore is releasing specifically include, but are not limited to, any
claims he might have under any federal, state or local law concerning discrimination
on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, national origin, disability, or the like. These
laws include, but are not limited to, the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C.
12101 et seq., the Family Medical Leave Act, 29 U.S.C. 2601 et seq., the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. 621 et seq., Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 2000-e et seq., the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), 29 U.S.C. 1001, et seq., and the Pennsylvania
Human Relations Act, 43 Pa.C.S. 951 et seq. (and any other similar law,
regulation or ordinance adopted by the Federal Government, Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania or any political subdivision thereof). The claims he is releasing also
include, but are not limited to, claims for retaliation under any of the laws described
above, any claims for breach of express or implied contract, any claims for severance
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pay, any claims for wrongful discharge, any claims for defamation, any claims for
infliction of emotional distress, and any claims under any federal, state or local law
governing salary, wages, bonuses, benefits or other compensation. The release also
specifically applies to any claims he might have for attorneys fees arising out of any
of the above.
ii. Bashore represents that he will not hereafter file or permit to be filed on his behalf
with any court or government agency any charge or claim seeking personal relief
(either money or other benefit, injunction, or declaration of rights) for him against the
Township Releasees involving any matter relating to his employment with the
Township, or the termination of that employment, which occurred at any time in the
past up to and including the date of this Agreement, or which involved any
continuing effects of any acts or practices which may have occurred up to and
including the date of this Agreement. Furthermore, Bashore agrees that he will not
encourage or cooperate with anyone else in the filing of any such actions against the
Township Releases, and if anyone else files any such action, he agrees that he will
not, except as legally required, share in any personal monetary or other relief granted.
b. The Township and Osborne, individually and collectively, hereby release Bashore and
Kelly Bashore from all claims any of them ever had or might now have against Bashore
and/or Kelly Bashore arising out of or relating in any way to Bashores employment with
the Township, or the termination of that employment, or Bashores entitlement to benefits
under the 457 Plan, the John Hancock Plan, and/or the Radnor Township Civilian
Employee Defined Benefit Pension Plan (the Pension Plan), including but not limited
to any claims that Bashore has forfeited his entitlement to benefits under any of those
Plans, and including any and all claims for attorneys fees and costs. This release applies
to all claims whether or not the Township or Osborne is now or ever was aware that they
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existed, and also to the continuing or future consequences of those claims. This release
does not apply to any claims that might arise in the future due to acts occurring after the
date of this Agreement and approval by the Court.
i. The Township and Osborne each represents that he/it will not hereafter file or permit
to be filed on his/its behalf with any court or government agency any charge or claim
seeking relief (either money or other benefit, injunction, or declaration of rights) for
him/it against the Bashore or Kelly Bashore involving any matter relating to
Bashores employment with the Township, or the termination of that employment,
which occurred at any time in the past up to and including the date of this Agreement,
or which involved any continuing effects of any acts or practices which may have
occurred up to and including the date of this Agreement. Furthermore, the Township
and Osborne each agrees that he/it will not encourage or cooperate with anyone else
in the filing of any such actions against Bashore or Kelly Bashore.
3. Return of Property. The Township and Bashore acknowledge that Bashore has returned all
Township-owned property, including but not necessarily limited to the keys and key fobs to the
Townships offices, a laptop computer, cell phone, and any official Township records. The
Township shall promptly return to Bashore his personal property that was in its possession on his
Date of Separation.
4. Severability. If any of the provisions of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or
unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions and portions of this Agreement shall be
unaffected thereby and shall remain in full force to the fullest extent permitted by law.
5. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is binding on all parties to this Agreement, and
their predecessors, successors, heirs and assigns, as applicable.
6. No Admission. This Agreement shall not be admissible in any court of law as evidence of
any unlawful behavior by any party. Each party hereto specifically disclaims any liability to or
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wrongful acts on his or its part. The parties have entered into this Agreement for the sole purpose of
resolving disputed claims without the expense of further litigation, and to achieve finality.
7. Miscellaneous. All executed copies of this Agreement, and photocopies thereof, shall have
the same force and effect and shall be as legally binding and enforceable as the original.
8. Entire Agreement; Amendments. This is the complete and final agreement between the
parties and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements, offers, negotiations, representations,
discussions, or communications, whether oral or written, with respect to any subject matter or this
Agreement. No representations, warranties or promises have been made by or to any party to this
Agreement with respect to the subject matter of the Agreement other than as expressly set forth
herein. In deciding whether to enter into this Agreement, no party is relying on any promises,
statements, or representations other than those that are expressly set forth herein. This Agreement
shall not be modified or amended except by a further written agreement signed by all parties affected
by the modification or amendment.
9. Choice of Laws. This Agreement will be governed by Pennsylvania law (without regard for
conflicts of and choice of laws principles), except to the extent it is governed by the laws of the
United States.
10. Older Workers Benefit Protection Act Knowing and Voluntary Waiver/Revocation.
Bashore acknowledges that he has been given a period of at least twenty-one (21) days to consider
this agreement before signing it. Bashore further acknowledges that he has been advised of his right
to consult with his own attorney before signing this Agreement, and he represents that he in fact has
consulted with his attorney. Bashore acknowledges that he is signing this Agreement voluntarily and
of his own free will, with full knowledge of the nature and consequences of its terms. Bashore may
revoke this Agreement within seven (7) days after signing it, by sending a written notice of
revocation to the President of the Board of Commissioners and the Township Solicitor. Such written
notice may be sent by mail, fax or hand delivery. If a written revocation is received within that seven
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(7) day period, this Agreement shall be null and void for all purposes. If a written revocation is not
received within that seven (7) day period, this Agreement will go into effect on the first day
immediately following the expiration of said seven (7) day period.
11. Construction. This Agreement shall be constructed and interpreted to effectuate the intent of
the parties, which is to provide, through this Agreement, for a resolution of the all claims between
and among them.
12. Release/Consent by Hartford. This Agreement shall be void and of no force and effect
unless and until:
a. An acceptable agreement is entered into between Hartford and Bashore
b. Hartford consents to the Townships settlement of its surcharge action.
RADNOR TOWNSHIP: DAVID A. BASHORE:
_____________________________ _____________________________President, Board of Commissioners David A. BashoreDate: Date:
KELLY F. BASHORE:
_____________________________Kelly F. BashoreDate:
JOHN E. OSBORNE:
______________________________
John E. OsborneTreasurer of Radnor TownshipDate: