In what was a busy day for the Sparks City Council yesterday, it approved a $381,000 settlement with ex-fire chief Mark Lawson over wrongful termination and defamation claims, allowing him to cash in more than expected as he now runs for office, just months after the same body turned down a previously offered $170,000 settlement.
Lawson left his job in late 2022 in disputed circumstances a week after he started it, after being confronted by then Sparks City Manager Neil Krutz that he was facing four felony steroid charges.
The case was dismissed with prejudice earlier this year, with prosecutors saying they needed more time.
The Nevada attorney general’s office quickly refiled charges against Lawson in Sparks Justice Court earlier this month, with a new arraignment hearing scheduled for March 26th.
Lawson who has maintained his innocence throughout this saga says he is running for Washoe County Commission District 4 in a contentious Republican primary against appointed incumbent Clara Andriola, favored by establishment figures, and Washoe County GOP Vice Chair Tracey Hilton-Thomas.
As of today, his Facebook page Mark Lawson for Nevada Washoe County Commission has 68 likes and 243 followers, with recent posts promoting local events, recirculating local news stories of interest and an explainer on ideal tire pressure in cold weather.
