Chelan PUD settles with fired managers for $1million

WENATCHEE — The Chelan County PUD has settled wrongful termination lawsuits with two fiber-optic network managers for nearly $1 million.

The settlement approved Tuesday by commissioners gives nearly $700,000 to Joe Jarvis and nearly $300,000 to John Smith. The PUD said it settled to avoid the cost and risk of further litigation.

PUD General Manager John Janney told The Wenatchee World he stands by his decision to fire the two in February of last year over inconsistent estimates of fiber optic network access and expansion costs. The managers said they were fired to deflect responsibility.

Earlier this year the commissioners agreed to forgive $99 million in internal debt for the high-speed telecommunications network that has failed to hit targets for breaking even.