Stokes’ side proposes three-way settlement

David Stokes is willing to accept a settlement of $900 thousand to settle his slander and wrongful termination lawsuit against Oconee County and two of its county council members. According to a filing this month in the Common Pleas Court by plaintiff’s attorney Clay Hopkins, the former building codes director is willing to drop his claims for damages provided that defendants Oconee County and Council members Edda Cammick and Wayne McCall pay $300 thousand each. The offer is conditional. It concludes this way: “Within twenty days after their notification, or at least ten days prior to the trial date, whichever date is earlier, Defendants or their attorneys may file with the Clerk of Court a written acceptance of this Offer of Judgment and serve it upon Plaintiff in accordance with the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure.” A court officer says a trial date has yet to be set. In the meantime, the case remains in the pre-trial stage. Recently, Judge Scott Sprouse denied a motion by the Stokes’ side to strike out the one remaining part of a counterclaim filed against Stokes by Cammick and McCall. Which means that the dispute over Stokes’ discharge remains a two-sided legal case.