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Munson dismisses Neal lawsuit
U.S. District Court for the NMI Senior Judge Alex R. Munson dismissed with prejudice yesterday the discrimination lawsuit filed by former acting chief prosecutor Shelli Neal against the CNMI government.
Munson ordered the dismissal of Neal’s case and all claims pursuant to the parties’ request following their irrevocable settlement.
Dismissal with prejudice means Neal can no longer re-file the lawsuit.
The court shall retain jurisdiction to enforce the settlement deal between the parties. Each party bore its own attorneys’ fees and costs.
Neal, through counsel Daniel T. Guidotti, has moved to dismiss her case and all claims because of the settlement.
The Office of the Attorney General and Guidotti informed the court during a settlement conference last Oct. 11 that the government settled without admitting any fault, liability, or wrongdoing. The parties agreed that the settlement deal will be filed under seal.
The OAG was the original defendant in Neal’s lawsuit. Neal amended her lawsuit and named only the CNMI government as defendant.
Neal alleged, among other things, that male prosecutors revealed confidential information to opposing lawyers regarding her cases in an effort to sabotage the cases and results.
Neal, who is African-American, also alleged that a then-chief prosecutor called her a “bitch” on several occasions and allowed white male employees to engage in discussions of a sexual nature in front of her and other female employees.
She demanded payment for back pay and damages to exceed $25,000. She also wants to be reinstated to her previous position as chief prosecutor.
