City council OKs bill involving settlement

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

City council approved legislation Wednesday to increase the salary of an assistant city prosecutor as part of a settlement reached in a religious- and ethnic-discrimination lawsuit filed by the employee.

Basil Ally’s annual base-pay salary will increase by $4,000.

He will make $65,200 a year as the city’s senior prosecutor.

Ally, a Muslim, filed a civil lawsuit in May 2009 against the city, its mayor, law director and city prosecutor, contending he was harassed by co-workers because of his faith and Middle Eastern descent.

As part of the settlement, reached about two weeks ago, Ally also received a $110,000 lump-sum payment from Midwest Claims, the city’s insurance company.

Also at Wednesday’s meeting, council approved a $21,483 bill for roof improvements to the city-owned Covelli Centre.

The work reinstates a warranty on the roof that was canceled because the facility’s former manager made repairs without notifying the arena’s insurance company.

Problems with the facility’s roof caused water damage to the center’s luxury suites.