Richmond Settles Wrongful Termination Suit with Former FOIA Officer

City pays undisclosed amount to resolve case after judge sanctioned officials for evidence mishandling.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:13pm

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A realistic, softly lit painting of a government office building with a lone figure visible through a window, conveying a sense of solitude and contemplation around the legal issues faced by local authorities.The settlement of a wrongful termination lawsuit against Richmond's government highlights the legal and financial risks cities face when they fail to properly manage public records and employee matters.Richmond Today

The City of Richmond has settled a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by its former Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) officer Connie Clay. The city will make payments to Clay and cover a portion of her legal fees, though officials maintain the facts did not meet the legal requirements for a whistleblower case under Virginia law.

Why it matters

This settlement highlights the ongoing challenges cities face in balancing public transparency through FOIA with the need to properly manage sensitive records and employee matters. The case also underscores the legal risks for municipalities when they fail to properly preserve evidence in litigation.

The details

Connie Clay filed the lawsuit in 2024, alleging she was fired for refusing to violate FOIA by reporting ongoing violations. A Richmond judge previously sanctioned the city for the disappearance of a city-issued cell phone that may have contained key evidence. The judge had planned to issue an adverse jury instruction that would have allowed jurors to presume the missing evidence was unfavorable to the city.

  • Clay filed the lawsuit in 2024.
  • In January 2026, a judge sanctioned the city for failing to preserve evidence.
  • The civil trial was scheduled for June 2026 before the settlement was reached.

The players

Connie Clay

Richmond's former Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) officer who filed the wrongful termination lawsuit against the city.

Odie Donald II

Richmond's Chief Administrative Officer who announced the settlement on behalf of the city.

Claire Cardwell

The Richmond Circuit Court judge who sanctioned the city for failing to preserve evidence in the case.

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What they’re saying

“While the City has consistently maintained that the facts of this case did not meet the legal requirements necessary to qualify the Plaintiff as a whistleblower under Virginia law, continued litigation is not in the best financial interest of the City or its residents.”

— Odie Donald II, Richmond Chief Administrative Officer

What’s next

The settlement amount and details of the agreement between Clay and the City of Richmond have not been disclosed publicly.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance for local governments to properly manage public records and employee matters to avoid costly legal battles and sanctions. The settlement highlights the financial risks cities face when they fail to preserve evidence in litigation.