Torrington Officials Defend Their Actions

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Torrington officials are defending their actions against a former state legislator who sued the city for barring him from city budget meetings in June.

The city recently settled Russell Zimmer's federal court lawsuit for $25,000 but did not admit any liability.

Torrington City Attorney Jim Eddington says the city decided to settle to avoid a costly legal process.

Eddington tells the Associated Press that the city's actions against Zimmer were legal.

Zimmer argued in his lawsuit against the city of Torrington, Mayor Mike Varney and Police Chief Billy Janes that his First Amendment rights were violated.

Janes says the ban resulted from Zimmer's combative and threatening behavior.

Zimmer said earlier this week that he felt good about the settlement and for standing up for constitutional rights.