Orange County (Florida) appraiser Rick Singh, who is being sued for numerous allegations of misconduct including bringing strippers into his office, is asking the county for financial help regarding his defense, according to a report from Florida TV station WFTV 9.
Records show that Singh, who allegedly spent thousands of dollars on personal travel and had strippers in the office, wanted the county to help him defend against the claims, but for now, the county has declined his request, the TV station reported.
“The property appraiser has been asked for more than $1 million to settle the suit with a former employee, but that’s more than what the county can pay out under its insurance,” the TV station said.
According to a memo written, Singh and his chief operating officer went to the county to ask about the risk management program and how claims and coverage are handled. Singh, according to WFTV 9, told the risk manager that he was inquiring because a lawsuit may be headed his way. But four months after that initial conversation, county officials are saying they will not help Singh defend the lawsuit.
Singh was involved in another lawsuit filed by Willis C. Perry III, a former co-worker whose “whistleblower claims” were dismissed but a settlement was reached where Singh’s office will pay Perry $84,420 for back wages and compensatory damages, according to a report by the Orlando Sentinel. Perry described the work environment under Singh as “dysfunctional, mismanaged and oppressive.”
Singh denied his office “lacks diversity” and argued Perry’s claims of racial discrimination “does not magically transform his grievance into a matter of public opinion,” the newspaper reported.
The two sides in this matter resolved their differences Dec. 18 after a mediation conference, according to a filing in federal court.