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Windsor Library settles in wrongful dismissal suit

A controversial lawsuit brought against the Windsor Public Library Board by its former CEO, Brian Bell, has been settled out of court. Windsor Star columnist Anne Jarvis criticized the settlement with Bell, which she pegs at more than $80,000: “I’d say Christmas has come early for Brian Bell.”

In 2008, Bell was fired without severance when it came to light he had been articling at a Windsor, Ontario, law firm while on paid sick leave from WPL. Bell, citing wrongful dismissal, sued the board for $500,000. Jarvis notes that the library’s education incentive program had already paid out nearly $36,000 towards Bell’s business and law school tuition. Bell now practices law in Toronto and specializes in employment and labour issues.

The columnist explains that the library opted to settle the suit because it had “mishandled the firing,” “breached Bell’s privacy,” and “couldn’t find Bell’s file or correspondence between the board and Bell.”

“Whatever,” writes Jarvis. “All I know is I’m forking out yet more money for Brian Bell.”