Plaintiff counsel Michael Petela Jr. said his goal in representing former New London city employee Cynthia Olivero was not to get a big payday, but rather to provide her with economic damages and funds for emotional distress.

It was under this criteria, Petela said Wednesday, that his client, who filed a defamation claim against New London with the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, accepted a $50,000 payout from the city. The settlement money, Petela said, will be disbursed within two weeks.