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Town of Beloit settles civil suit

JANESVILLE — A former Town of Beloit Police sergeant and the town court clerk will get a $1.4 million settlement payment from the town—about $396,000 less than they were awarded last year in federal court.

A federal judge in May 2011 awarded $1.49 million to Willie and Mary Abegglen after the two filed a civil suit against the town. They also were awarded $306,668 in court costs, according to court documents.

The town appealed the judge's decision, but the settlement ends the case.

The Abegglens sued in 2010. They claimed town officials retaliated after the couple complained that former Police Chief John Wilson made racial comments at work and created a hostile work environment.

Willie Abegglen is a former sergeant with the Town of Beloit Police Department. Mary Abegglen is the town's court clerk.

The town does not admit fault in the settlement, according to court documents.

The Abegglens' lawsuit was one of several filed regarding Wilson's actions in the department.

The town has settled lawsuits filed by two other former employees for about $160,000. Those suits also stemmed from the former police chief.

Wilson retired in early 2011.

The town is ready to move forward from what was a contentious time, Administrator Brian Wilson said.

"It's an unfortunate chapter, and it will be good when it's closed," Wilson said.