Torrington Will Pay $25K To Settle Lawsuit

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A former state senator says the city of Torrington will pay him $25,000 to settle his First Amendment lawsuit for city officials banning him from city buildings.

Russell Zimmer had filed the lawsuit in federal court against the city of Torrington, Mayor Michael E. Varney and Police Chief Bill Janes.

Zimmer tells the Associated Press that he feels good about the settlement although he didn't like the lack of any admission of guilt by the defendants.

According to Zimmer, he was banned from city buildings after he attended a city council budget session in April where he approached the mayor on budget matters and raised his voice a little.

Zimmer served about 20 years in the Wyoming Legislature and was Senate president in 1989 and '90.