After several months of being absent from village board meetings, Burr Ridge Finance Director Jerry Stapp is back from paid administrative leave and a discrimination dispute with the village.
The village and Sapp settled the dispute — the details of which are not public and Sapp will get $55,000 to cover his legal fees though he agrees to Aug. 19, after working for the village for 25 years.
The few public details of the dispute came via a copy of the settlement agreement in the village’s board packet released online. Sapp apparently made a complaint against the village to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. EEOC complaints typically include complaints related to discrimination of some kind, including age, race, gender or handicap discrimination.
According to the settlement agreement, Burr Ridge representatives dispute Sapp’s complaint, though they agreed to settle on advice of counsel.
“Claimant (Sapp) and respondent (the village), wish to resolve all matters amicably and return Jerry Sapp to active employment with the Village of Burr Ridge,” the agreement reads.
Sapp agreed to release the village from any liability and to retire.
The document also includes language that prohibits either side from speaking with the media.
“If approached by a member of the news media about this Settlement Agreement, the parties will respond to the effect of, ‘All matters have been amicably resolved and I/we have no further comment,'” the settlement read.
Sapp returned to work after the board signed off on the agreement Monday evening. However, he shall work from home two days a week and he can work from home the other three days as well, or he can return to the office three days a week.
After his Aug. 19 retirement, Sapp will remain eligible for his retirement pay.