Nevada settles lawsuit with former forestry chief
ELKO — A former Nevada Division of Forestry battalion chief who claimed he was fired for speaking out about alleged improper management of firefighting resources in Elko County has settled his lawsuit against the state.
The Elko Daily Free Press reported the state agreed to settle the suit filed by Keith Westengard for $75,000.
A federal judge last week signed an order vacating a trial that had been set for this month.
Westengard claimed his First Amendment right to free speech was violated because he was reprimanded after talking to county officials about forming a new fire district.
He alleged administrators made defamatory comments to co-workers, gave him a negative performance review and placed him on administrative leave without justification.