Former ESL cop sues city claiming it failed to pay settlement

A former East St. Louis police officer says the City owes him nearly $60,000 allegedly promised to him after resigning from the police force.

Johnny Scruggs filed a lawsuit Dec. 8 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against the City of East St. Louis.

Scruggs says he signed a contract with the City of East St. Louis in February agreeing to accept a total of $175,000 in exchange for a release of all claims against the city. The money, to be paid in several installments, was also contingent upon Scruggs' resignation from the police department, according to the complaint.

Scruggs claims the city has failed to pay the final three payments, each worth more than $28,000. The former officer accuses the City of East St. Louis of breach of contract. He is asking for more than $86,000 in damages plus interest and court costs.

Attorney B. Jay Dowling of Fairview Heights is representing Scruggs.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 11-L-672