Columbus City Council approved more than $900,000 in settlements Monday.
They include a nearly $85,000 payout to settle a complaint against Councilmember Emmanuel Remy.
Averi Townsend, a former legislative aide, claims Remy treated her harshly in conversation about a paid leave issue.
Townsend alleges Remy violated her rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disability Act.
Her complaint states she was discriminated against under Title VII and subjected to retaliation by Remy. Columbus released a letter from Townsend's lawyers to 星空无限传媒 Tuesday afternoon after Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther signed the legislation approving the settlement.
The letter, sent to the city in June of this year, said that Remy regularly committed managerial malpractice.
"For example, he curses and shouts at Ms. Townsend, publicly humiliates her, falsely accuses her, and compares her unfavorably with predecessors. Ms. Townsend鈥檚 work is unassailable鈥攖hese attacks are typically personal," the letter said.
The letter also alleges the city took notice of Remy's behavior and in April 2025, Council President Shannon Hardin assured Townsend he would speak to Mr. Remy鈥檚 wife about his conduct and said that for the time being they are all 鈥渟tuck with him.鈥�
The letter said Townsend thrived throughout her public service and the city promoted her twice, awarded raises and never issued a negative performance evaluation.
The letter also makes accusations against other city council employees. The letter said Townsend was advised to take a leave of absence, during which the letter accuses the city of trying to hire a replacement for her.
The letter said Townsend also regularly ran personal errands for Remy like taking his children to school or staffing unpaid 鈥渆xtracurricular activities鈥� like weekend canvassing.
Remy won reelection this year to Columbus City Council, running in an uncontested race. Remy also contributed over $70,000 from his campaign account to help elect Council member-elect Tiara Ross.
Spokesman Jose Rodriguez told 星空无限传媒 Remy has a new aide that started 3 weeks ago and one legislative assistant who has been with council for a long time.
Rodriguez said Remy鈥檚 aide position was not filled as instructed by Hardin until recently.
Council President Pro Tempore Rob Dorans said the allegations against Remy are "disappointing," adding that the workplace behavior Townsend described is not acceptable.
"No one should be subject to that kind of behavior in the workplace, let alone those that have raised their hand to serve," Dorans said. "I believe Councilmember Remy knows that and knows that this body expects our staff to be treated with dignity and respect and will take the necessary actions to make sure that he does that in the future."
Remy was not present for Monday's council meeting.
Hardin said Remy must undergo management training before he'll sign off on any new permanent staff.
"I care about my colleague, Councilmember Remy, as a person, and I believe he's a good man and a good legislator," Hardin said, "but this is a moment of learning, not just for Remy, but for me and this council. It's a time for accountability."
By approving the settlement, the city admits no fault but avoids future litigation.
Other settlements approved Monday include a $750,000 payout to the estate of Timothy Wiggins, a Delaware man who was killed in a crash involving a Columbus fire engine in 2023.
A total of $75,000 will be paid to Luis Escobedo Villanueva, who was wrongfully arrested by Columbus police in Sept. 2024 in a case of mistaken identity.
A fourth settlement will award $30,000 to Anita Davis, a former employee with the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department who filed a lawsuit claiming racial discrimination by her supervisors.
This story was updated at 10:18 a.m. on Nov. 19, 2025.
