The actions of two Camp Verde Town Council members last year have now cost the town $15,000 in order to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by a former vice mayor.
The former vice mayor also received a formal, written apology from the town for the councilmen’s actions.
On Jan. 8, 2020, former Camp Verde Vice Mayor Bruce George submitted an application for the Camp Verde Planning and Zoning Commission. When the Town Council discussed George’s appointment, Councilman Joe Butner asked George about an allegation of indecent exposure, based on a Camp Verde Marshal’s Office report that had not been significantly investigated and about which George had no knowledge.
The allegation was later determined to be without merit.
Butner has repeatedly denied the accuracy of the report.
The accusation led to a fight among the members of the council, and George with- drew his application for the commission.
In the months since, George has repeatedly demanded the town apologize and called for the two council members in question to be censured for defaming him. On Feb. 18, 2020, the council twice voted 5-1 against reprimanding either Butner or LeBeau.
In May, George and his lawyer filed a claim with the town, which escalated to a lawsuit in September.
This week, the saga reached what appears to be its conclusion, with the Town of Camp Verde reaching a settlement with George. At the Camp Verde Town Council meeting on Feb. 17, the council voted 4-1 to accept the following settlement terms:
- George will dismiss all claims against Councilmen Butner and LeBeau with preju- dice, each side to bear their own cost and attorney fees.
- Town Manager Russ Martin will issue a letter to Mr. George that reads as follows: “Mr. George: The Town acknowledges that it was inappropriate to release the Camp Verde Marshal’s Office Deputy Report, V19009527, at the Camp Verde Town Council Meeting of Jan. 8, 2020 while the report was incomplete and marked ‘Dissemination Restricted.’ The Town apologizes for any embarrassment that may have caused to Mr. George.”
- Arizona Municipal Risk and Retention Pool, the Town’s liability insurance carrier, on behalf of the town, will pay George $15,000 in exchange for a full and complete release of the town and a dismissal of the town with prejudice, each side to bear their own cost and attorney fees.
- The council held the vote after discussing the settlement in executive session. Both LeBeau and Butner recused themselves from the vote.
Jackie Baker was the dissenting vote.
“The town is glad to have this issue resolved with Mr. George and wishes to move forward on many other incredible things happening in Camp Verde,” Martin wrote in an email, declining to comment further.
“It’s not as much as my attorney fees, but my primary goal is that no one is treated as I was during a council meeting, and I think I accomplished that,” George said in response to the settlement. “And I did get an apology from the town, so that’s good. I’m glad it’s over, because it was a lot of stress on me, a lot of sleepless nights, and a lot of accusations about me that weren’t true.”
Bill LeBeau declined to comment. Joe Butner did not respond to a request to comment.
