The town of Cary and a former employee agreed to settle a lawsuit that alleged an "abusive work environment" in the planning department.

Brent Reck filed suit in February 2010 but agreed to dismiss his case in April after he reached an agreement with the town.

The town did not compensate Reck, according to town staff, but agreed to pay its attorney fees, which amounted to $92,000.

In the lawsuit, Reck and his attorney claimed that Ricky Barker, associate planning director, had a "long, documented history of abusive conduct toward employees," including setting "unattainable deadlines" and making "unreasonable demands."

Town Attorney Christine Simpson said the case's end indicated Barker and the town had done no wrong.

"After a year of assembling and reviewing evidence, we're confident that Mr. Barker did nothing wrong and that his interactions with Mr. Reck were all appropriate," she told the town council.

Lisa Grafstein, Reck's lawyer, disagreed with the town's characterization of the dismissal.

"Mr. Reck took a voluntary dismissal for reasons unrelated to the merits of the case," said Grafstein, who declined to comment further.

Under the agreement, the town and Reck will bear their own legal costs. Both sides also agreed not to disparage the other.

Reck worked for the town from October 2002 to March 2010. His salary at the time of his exit was $53,394.

Police warn car thefts are rising

From Staff Reports

Cary is warning people to lock their car doors and keep valuables out of sight after a series of thefts from vehicles in neighborhoods near the Cary Parkway and U.S. 1 and U.S. 64.

More than 20 vehicles have been broken in a two week period on residential streets near Wellington Park and MacDonald Woods Park. Thieves took cash and electronic items such as iPods, cellphones and GPS units, according to Cary police.

All of the vehicles were unlocked, police say.

Most of the thefts occurred during overnight hours. Cary police ask anyone with information to call them at 919-469-4012 or Cary Crime Stoppers at 919-226-2746.

Cary man jailed for taking money

From Staff Reports

Authorities say a 33-year-old man embezzled money from the Cary chiropractor's office where he worked. Jason Everett Kennedy, of 215 Windbyrn Ave., Cary, is facing charges of embezzlement and forgery in the theft of more than $2,500 from Dr. Eric Ginter's Core Health Systems chiropractic practice on Southeast Cary Parkway, warrants state.

Kennedy also was arrested on a fugitive warrant from New York that charges him with second-degree burglary, criminal possession of a forged instrument and forgery.

In Cary, Kennedy is accused of forging seven checks. Police said they believe the offenses occurred in April and May.