Judge Arthur Spatt
In March 2011, Palmer notified the court that his action charging Nassau County with race discrimination, retaliation and a hostile work environment violating 42 USC §§1981 and 1983 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, had been settled for $90,000. The court granted Palmer’s unopposed April 11, 2013 motions to enforce the settlement agreement and for sanctions. Noting the parties’ notification of the court that they had reached settlement and subsequently executed a settlement agreement, the court found no question as to the parties’ intent to be bound by the settlement agrement. Defendants were directed to pay the entire $90,000 settlement—and 9 percent compound interest from its march 25, 2011 entry despite the fact that a formal settlement agreement and release was not made until Nov. 30—within 30 days. In further awarding Palmer attorney fees at $350 per hour as a sanction, the court found defendants actions—particularly defense counsel’s 1½ year disregard of requests to resolve the matter—suggestive of bad faith. However, the court observed that despite seeking fees totalling $6,750, Palmer’s attorney failed to provide detailed,contemporaneous time sheets supporting the number of hours to be compensated.
