Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County, TN - File #: RS2025-1274

• File #: RS2025-1274
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Passed
• File created: 5/22/2025
• In control: Metropolitan Council
• On agenda: 6/3/2025
• Final action: 6/3/2025
• Title: A resolution authorizing the Metropolitan Department of Law to compromise and settle the claims of Deana Watson, as Independent Administrator of the Estate of Claude Garrett, against the Metropolitan Government's former employees in the amount of $300,000.00, with said amount to be paid from the Judgments and Losses Fund.
• Sponsors: Delishia Porterfield, Quin Evans-Segall, Burkley Allen, Emily Benedict, Russ Bradford, Clay Capp, Tom Cash, Mike Cortese, Tasha Ellis, Jeff Eslick, Erin Evans, Sandy Ewing, Jennifer Gamble, Jeff Gregg, Deonte Harrell, Olivia Hill, Courtney Johnston, Joy Smith Kimbrough, Antoinette Lee, Bob Nash, Sean Parker, Jeff Preptit, John Rutherford, Sandra Sepulveda, Joy Styles, Zulfat Suara, Brandon Taylor, Kyonzte Toombs, Jennifer Webb, Sheri Weiner, Ginny Welsch, Terry Vo

Date	Action By	Action
6/4/2025	Mayor	approved
6/3/2025	Metropolitan Council	adopted
6/2/2025	Budget and Finance Committee	approved
5/27/2025	Metropolitan Council	filed

title
A resolution authorizing the Metropolitan Department of Law to compromise and settle the claims of Deana Watson, as Independent Administrator of the Estate of Claude Garrett, against the Metropolitan Government's former employees in the amount of $300,000.00, with said amount to be paid from the Judgments and Losses Fund.
body
WHEREAS, Deana Watson, as Independent Administrator of the Estate of Claude Garrett, filed a lawsuit, which remains pending against two former Metropolitan Government employees, alleging intentional infliction of emotional distress and Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment violations arising out of the convictions of Claude Garrett in 1992 and 2003 for felony murder, and,
WHEREAS, after investigation, the Metropolitan Department of Law believes that the settlement listed in Section 1 is fair and reasonable and in the best interest of the Metropolitan Government and recommends that any and all claims or causes of action brought or that could have been brought by Deana Watson, as Independent Administrator of the Estate of Claude Garrett, related to the events detailed above be compromised and settled for $300,000.00, and that this amount be paid from the Judgments and Losses Fund.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1: The Metropolitan Department of Law is authorized to compromise and settle the claim of Deana Watson, as Independent Administrator of the Estate of Claude Garrett, for the sum of $300,000.00, with said amount to be paid from the Judgments and Losses Fund.
Section 2: This resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Agenda Analysis
Analysis

On February 24, 1992, Claude Garrett and his girlfriend Laurie Lance were at their home when a fire broke out. Nashville Fire Department ("NFD") personnel arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming ...