Knoxville, Tenn. — Chancellor John Weaver presided over a settlement hearing this morning that brings the ongoing lawsuit concerning the Uniformed Officers Pension Plan (UOPP) to an official close. Mediated last week by Chancellor Darryl Fansler, the settlement of $97,500 between Knox County and the attorneys who represented the class, current deputies and Renee Ricker, widow of Dennis Ricker, was accepted by Chancellor Weaver at the hearing.
“This lawsuit put an unnecessary strain on our county government, our Sheriff’s office, and our taxpayers,” said Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. “I’m glad to see it finally resolved and that the deputies, as well as their families, will get what was promised to them. Also, I greatly appreciate the support of Knox County Commission Chair Nystrom, Vice Chair Carringer and Commissioners Gill, Smith, Anders, Jay and Biggs.”
In October, Mayor Jacobs convened a special session of the Knox County Commission to discuss and vote on a resolution that instructed the Knox County Law Director to dismiss the lawsuit against the UOPP with prejudice. The resolution was passed in the special session then presented to and subsequently approved by Chancellor Weaver in early November. This settlement announcement is the culmination of over a year of litigation surrounding the UOPP and the Knox County Retirement & Pension Board.
“I would like to thank Knox County Commission Chair Nystrom, Vice Chair Carringer and Commissioners Smith, Anders, and Jay Biggs who at the special called meeting, voted for this lawsuit to come to an end at my request.
I also want to express gratitude to Jay Fader and Rob Frost from Arnett, Draper and Hagood, who represented the county during mediation; Chancellor Darryl Fansler, who led mediation; and attorneys Steven Garrett, Al Holifield and Herbert Moncier for prudently representing not only the class, but the current officers and Renee Ricker, widow of Dennis Ricker. In addition to their diligent work, these attorneys heavily discounted their fees in service to the county illustrating a keener interest in protecting the officers than in personal gain.”