Moreno Valley to pay $200K to settle whistleblower suit

The city of Moreno Valley will pay $200,000 to settle a lawsuit by a deputy city attorney who alleged he lost his job for prosecuting code-enforcement violations by a former councilman.

The settlement covers damages and back pay for Paul Early.

Both sides also agreed to a non-disparagement clause. Neither side admitted any wrongdoing.

Early was one of three city officials laid off in March 2013. He and former building official Anne Schneider and former Code Compliance Manager Albert Brady alleged they were terminated in retaliation for carrying out code-enforcement actions involving building-code violations by former Councilman Marcelo Co.

At the time, officials said Early and others were laid off due to budget cuts.

Co resigned and later pleaded guilty to bribery charges.