Read the documents: City has spent $632K defending Clay's wrongful termination suit SAMUEL B. PARKER Richmond Times-Dispatch Jan 16, 2026 Jan 16, 2026 Updated Mar 4, 2026 0 × VCU Baseball may play at The Diamond; Centro to open in Westchester Commons; Solstice Advanced Materials to expand Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Officials have spent more than $632,000 defending Connie Clay’s wrongful termination lawsuit against the city, according to records obtained by The Times-Dispatch late Thursday.kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%92E’D C@F89=J k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^C:49>@?5]4@>^?6HD^=@42=^8@G6C?>6?E\A@=:E:4D^2CE:4=60c6a33`4b\da_g\c25_\g542\e62`5c33a3f5]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<QmSbg_[___ >@C6 E92? r=2J :?:E:2==J D@F89E :? 96C 4@>A=2:?Ek^2m]k^AmkA 5:ClQ=ECQmr=2J[ r:EJ w2==’D 7@C>6C uC665@> @7 x?7@C>2E:@? p4E @77:46C[ 92D DF65 E96 4:EJ F?56C DE2E6 =2HD E92E AC@E64E H9:DE=63=@H6CD[ 4=2:>:?8 D96 H2D 7:C65 3J 7@C>6C 4:EJ DA@<6DA6CD@? !6EF=2 qFC<D 7@C C67FD:?8 E@ 3C62< AF3=:4 C64@C5D =2HD]k^Am People are also reading… Family sues $10.45 million over Virginia Tech student's suicide Long-empty building in downtown Rocky Mount could become luxury apartments Virginia Tech administrators Wurthman, Brugger McSorley lose their jobs Ranking Virginia Tech's 2026 football slate by interest and opponent strength Rain and recent action by ApCo help to increase SML levels One juvenile dies, four students injured in car crash on 2nd day of school in Orange County Complaint filed against Franklin County leaders 10-year-old killed in Franklin County crash, state police investigating Franklin County residents bash supervisors on data center discussions Four positions to watch as JMU football opens preseason camp MLB trade deadline winners and losers: Dodgers, Red Sox and Phillies all in Tax-free weekend returns for school supplies, emergency gear, chain saws Joy Powers wins Democratic primary for 9th District Franklin County girls basketball coach leaving for Roanoke College Spanberger seeks dismissal of Rocovich lawsuit kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%96 4:G:= EC:2= :? 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Related to this story Richmond city officials just settled a whistleblower lawsuit. How did we get here? The case stems from the firing of the city's former Freedom of Information Act officer. A1 Minute! January 15, 2026: VCU Baseball may play at The Diamond; Centro to open in Westchester Commons; Solstice Advanced Materials to expand VCU Baseball may play at The Diamond; Centro to open in Westchester Commons; Solstice Advanced Materials to expand Richmond neighbors: Obituaries for January 16 Read through the obituaries published today in Richmond Times-Dispatch. City's attorneys ask judge to block FOIA requests from city's former FOIA officer In a filing, attorneys for the city suggest Connie Clay's FOIA requests are intended to "embarrass" the city. Clay since June has received nea… 'You need to get rid of her': Fired FOIA officer's 'dogged persistence' bothered some in City Hall, testimony shows In her deposition, former city spokesperson Petula Burks characterized City Hall’s FOIA process as deeply dysfunctional and galling to officia… Judge rules city destroyed or failed to preserve evidence in whistleblower lawsuit Judge Claire Cardwell on Monday sanctioned the city and its attorneys for failing to comply with court orders on document production. Watch Now: Related Video The 10 safest cities in the United States A1 Minute! August 3, 2026: Richmond Jazz & Music Fest week; Political spending; Richmond's tallest buildings | A1 Minute A1 Minute! August 3, 2026: Richmond Jazz & Music Fest week; Political spending; Richmond's tallest buildings | A1 Minute A1 Minute! July 27, 2026: Richmond Jazz and Music Festival; Jefferson’s Tuckahoe home on sale; What Virginia exports A1 Minute! 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Richmond city officials just settled a whistleblower lawsuit. How did we get here? The case stems from the firing of the city's former Freedom of Information Act officer.
A1 Minute! January 15, 2026: VCU Baseball may play at The Diamond; Centro to open in Westchester Commons; Solstice Advanced Materials to expand VCU Baseball may play at The Diamond; Centro to open in Westchester Commons; Solstice Advanced Materials to expand
Richmond neighbors: Obituaries for January 16 Read through the obituaries published today in Richmond Times-Dispatch.
City's attorneys ask judge to block FOIA requests from city's former FOIA officer In a filing, attorneys for the city suggest Connie Clay's FOIA requests are intended to "embarrass" the city. Clay since June has received nea…
'You need to get rid of her': Fired FOIA officer's 'dogged persistence' bothered some in City Hall, testimony shows In her deposition, former city spokesperson Petula Burks characterized City Hall’s FOIA process as deeply dysfunctional and galling to officia…
Judge rules city destroyed or failed to preserve evidence in whistleblower lawsuit Judge Claire Cardwell on Monday sanctioned the city and its attorneys for failing to comply with court orders on document production.
A1 Minute! August 3, 2026: Richmond Jazz & Music Fest week; Political spending; Richmond's tallest buildings | A1 Minute
A1 Minute! August 3, 2026: Richmond Jazz & Music Fest week; Political spending; Richmond's tallest buildings | A1 Minute
A1 Minute! July 27, 2026: Richmond Jazz and Music Festival; Jefferson’s Tuckahoe home on sale; What Virginia exports
A1 Minute! July 27, 2026: Richmond Jazz and Music Festival; Jefferson’s Tuckahoe home on sale; What Virginia exports