PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A Pittsburgh resident has filed a lawsuit against the Pittsburgh City Council stemming from their controversial pay increase.
KDKA’s Jon Delano was the first to report the board’s 22% pay increase, which was later pushed back.
Carmen Brown filed the lawsuit on Monday. She wants the entire city council to replace it, but she doesn’t believe that will happen. She hopes the judge will issue some punishment, such as a fine.
“I’m extremely indignant about the process because that’s how they do it,” Brown said. “It was a lot of secrets. They don’t want the public to know. “
Brown’s lawsuit alleges the city council may have violated the state’s Sunshine Law as council members discussed and debated their own pay hikes behind closed doors on Feb. Brown spoke in a rare Saturday session.
“It’s disgusting,” Brown said during the session. “I think it’s a breach of public trust.”
READ MORE: Police Investigate the Marshall-Shadeland Shooting
In the end, the Pittsburgh City Council voted 9-0 for a 6 percent increase instead of the 22 percent originally included in the budget. Meanwhile, the average city employee gets a salary increase of about 3%.
Brown also claimed the city council violated its by-laws after it exceeded the average percentage of pay increases and wages paid to all city employees. She also claims that council members manipulated the process.
“There are a lot of secrets that have offended me,” Brown said.
Brown added: “This is our paycheck. “We reserve the right to know how you will use this money.”
Pittsburgh City Council President Theresa Kail-Smith said the council could not comment on the forced settlement and would not issue a statement. The city has 20 days to respond to the complaint after it is served.
https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2022/02/15/lawsuit-pittsburgh-city-council-salary-increase/ Residents’ lawsuit against Pittsburgh city council over pay hike – CBS Pittsburgh
