Oyster Bay ex-bay constable's suit settled, dismissed

A negligence suit brought in federal court against Oyster Bay by former Bay Constable Christopher Briggs has been dismissed following a monetary settlement.

Federal Judge Joan M. Azrack in the U.S. Eastern District Court in Central Islip signed an order dismissing the case on Tuesday. Briggs sued the town in 2012 after injuries sustained on the job required surgery.

The town board approved a $150,000 settlement, of which $30,000 came from Nassau County, at its May 26 meeting. Another federal suit brought by Briggs against Oyster Bay has not yet been dismissed despite both parties agreeing to a settlement in May.

In that case, Briggs sued Oyster Bay and several town officials for allegedly violating his civil and First Amendment rights during the 2013 election in which he ran for a town board seat. That settlement, which required Briggs to destroy or turn over evidence of alleged wrongdoing by town officials, has yet to receive approval by the town board. Last week, the judge extended a July 7 deadline by 30 days for both parties to complete the terms of the settlement.