(Hammond, IN) - A settlement has been reached in a federal lawsuit alleging wrongful termination by La Porte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan.

 

According to the lawsuit, Nancy Hawkins and Anthony McClintock accused Fagan of firing them from their jobs at the prosecutor’s office for political reasons when he took over in January.

 

Specifically, both plaintiffs alleged Fagan violated their constitutional right to freedom of speech by letting them go in retaliation for being open supporters of former prosecutor John Lake during the campaign.

 

McClintock, a retired Michigan City Police officer, also alleged his firing had to do with him finding no evidence of a crime against a man Fagan accused of intimidating him prior to taking office.

 

McClintock was an investigator for the prosecutor’s office under Lake.

 

To further their claims the firings were political, the plaintiffs cited an alleged Facebook post by Fagan asserting “some La Porte County Prosecutor’s Office employees will quit and some will be fired,” according to the lawsuit.

 

The lawsuit was settled August 3 at U.S. District Court in Hammond, according to court records.

 

So far, the amount of the settlement has not been disclosed but will be publicly available once the governor following procedure stamps his seal of final approval.

 

Lawsuits against county prosecutors in the state are handled by the Indiana Attorney General’s Office since county prosecutors are employees of the state.

 

The lawsuit when filed sought no less than $500,000 for each plaintiff. 

 

Fagan declined an offer for comment.