Vermont Business Magazine The City of Burlington, Charlie Meli, Albin Meli, and Jeremie Meli have reached an agreement to settle the lawsuit arising from events that occurred in September 2018, which involved use-of-force during a police interaction.
The settlement includes a $750,000 payment to the Meli family, which will be made through a $500,000 payment by the City’s insurer Travelers, and a $250,000 payment from the City’s liability insurance reserve fund. The City Council approved the settlement agreement at a Special Meeting on May 30.
Mayor Weinberger and the Meli family released the following joint statement:
“The Melis are longstanding and valued members of the Burlington community, and this incident was an important catalyst for change. In the years since the Mayor issued an Executive Order requiring a Mayoral review of all use-of-force incidents that result in any injury or raises significant public concern, the City comprehensively rewrote the Burlington Police Department’s Use-of-Force Policy to include much greater emphasis on de-escalation, and the Department now releases body-worn camera footage to the public after use-of-force incidents. The City is grateful to the Melis for their contributions to this progress and is committed to working with them on continued efforts to improve public safety and foster belonging in Burlington.
“At a recent meeting between the Mayor and the Melis, the Meli brothers described the harm they experienced and their wish to support positive change, especially involving police interactions with people of color. The Mayor expressed his sincere regret for the lingering harm this incident caused their family and gratitude to the Melis for their desire and commitment to engage the City in these important issues. Both parties appreciated the opportunity for meaningful dialog, which was an important and restorative step forward for the family.
“The City and the Meli family are pleased to have resolved the litigation and look forward to continued, constructive conversations about a just and inclusive future for Burlington.”
Source: 6.2.2023. Office of Mayor Miro Weinberger, Burlington, VT
