By Niki Cervantes
Staff Writer

July 17, 2015 -- Santa Monica officials Tuesday approved a $710,000 settlement of a lawsuit filed by a woman who was hired and then fired as the City’s communications chief, allegedly after her political activities came to light.

The City Council voted without comment to approve the settlement with Elizabeth Riel, who sued the City last year for allegedly violating her first amendment rights.

City Attorney Marsha Moutrie told the Council that the agreement was reached “without admission of liability” and that it prohibits any future liability in the matter.

Filed in 2014, the lawsuit in Federal Court alleged the City and then-City Manager Rod Gould admitted that Riel was fired for writing a newspaper column that was critical of a Council member and contributed to another councilmember’s re-election campaign.

Riel was offered the job of head of communications and public affairs for the City, but it was rescinded a month later by Gould, who cited “personnel reasons.”

Riel had criticized the City in a 2006 column for failing to release documents concerning its ties with developers.  She also contributed $1,000 to a campaign mailer charging Council member Pam O’Connor with selling out to developers.

Riel also contributed $250 to current mayor Kevin McKeown’s 2006 re-election campaign. The information first appeared in a Lookout article published shortly before the 2006 council race. ("O'Connor Targeted by Coalition; Hit Piece Exposes Rift Within SMRR," October 30, 2006)

In her suit, Riel alleged that her job offer as the City’s communications officer was rescinded after Gould learned of her political activities, violating her First Amendment rights.

“Gould told Riel that she would be viewed as being aligned with some City Council members and not others,” the lawsuit said.

Gould was dropped from the suit earlier this year.

The communications position subsequently went to Debbie Lee, who had served as vice president for Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.