A lawsuit involving the Texas County prosecutor was settled at the 11th hour Wednesday before it reached the courtroom.
Attorneys representing Michael Anderson and his former employee, Monica Daniel Hutchison, left U.S. District Court in Springfield around 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Prospective jurors were called in and dismissed by District Judge Richard Dorr after news of the settlement.
“The matter has been settled,” said attorney David Steelman, who represented Daniel. “It’s sealed, and I won’t be able to comment further.”
Dorr entered a docket entry related to the matter Wednesday afternoon. (PDF available for download under “related documents.”)
Employees with both law firms carted dozens of boxes out of the courtroom after the settlement.
Filed by Hutchison, the lawsuit claimed malicious prosecution, abuse of process concerning a subpoena and a civil lawsuit, emotional distress and a hostile work environment.
The matters allegedly occurred five years ago. Hutchison was a former office employee in Anderson’s office.
Anderson denied all of the claims.
County officials, law enforcement and many Texas County residents were expected to be called to the stand.
The trial was postponed late last year after Anderson’s legal team pursued an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals.
A lawsuit filed by Mildred S. Williams against Anderson is pending in Webster County. It was filed July 2009.
PDF: Court’s entry on settlement