Former Hill County Attorney Jessica Cole-Hodgkinson received $49,000 to resign her position, according to the Voluntary Resignation Agreement obtained by The Havre Herald.
Cole-Hodgkinson’s term ran through December 31. The reason for the agreement — between she, the county commissioners, and any other “entity” acting on the county’s behalf — the document says, was to “induce” her to resign.
The agreement says the county promised confidentiality to Cole-Hodgkinson.
Attorney Gregory Bonilla of Montana Association of Counties Defense Services, an organization of county governments, said the county was advised that the agreement is a public document and that The Herald was entitled to it. The Herald filed for the document under the Montana Public Access to Records Act.
The agreement is dated July 19; it was signed by Commissioner Mark Peterson that same day and by Cole-Hodgkinson on July 26.
The agreement has a non-disparagement section, which says that Hill County officials “shall refrain from making any oral or written statements about (Cole-Hodgkinson) which are intended or reasonably likely to disparage (her) or otherwise have a detrimental effect on her professional reputation.”
Click here to read more at The Havre Herald.
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