avon-lake
Avon Lake Settles Dispute with Former Fire Chief Across Six Courts and Agencies
Avon Lake City Council authorized the mayor to settle a legal dispute with Jeremy Betsa, the city's former Fire Chief, resolving active cases simultaneously in U.S. District Court, Lorain County Common Pleas Court, the EEOC, the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, the Ohio State Employment Relations Board, and the Avon Lake Civil Service Commission.
Avon Lake City Council passed Ordinance 26-32 on an emergency basis in March 2026, authorizing the mayor to enter into a settlement agreement with Jeremy Betsa, the city's former Fire Chief.
Betsa had been the subject of disciplinary proceedings that escalated into litigation spanning six separate legal bodies: U.S. District Court, the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, the Ohio State Employment Relations Board, and the Avon Lake Civil Service Commission.
The ordinance does not disclose the terms or dollar amount of the settlement. Under the agreement, both parties waive, release, and discharge all claims arising from the disciplinary matters and resulting legal actions — including any claims not yet formally filed.
The emergency declaration allowed the measure to take effect immediately upon passage and mayoral approval.