DERBY – A federal judge ruled former Mayor Rich Dziekan lacked the legal authority to sign an employment contract that was used to hire a human resources director in 2023.
The contract was signed without the approval of the Derby Board of Aldermen & Alderwomen (BOA/A), a violation of the rules outlined in the Derby City Charter, according to a 10-page written ruling from U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea.
“In sum, the Mayor did not have authority under the City’s charter to contract with the plaintiff as to her compensation and therefore the March 2023 agreement is unenforceable,” Shea wrote.
Shea’s ruling was made in connection with his dismissal of a federal lawsuit brought against the City of Derby by Derby Human Resources Director Katherine Christopher, who sued the city after her pay was cut.
According to federal court filings:
- Christopher was hired in August 2022.
- In December 2022, the BOA/A approved funding the position at $49 an hour for eight hours a week.
- In April 2023 Dziekan offered an employment contract for full-time work at an annual salary of $89,180.
- In March 2024, after Dziekan was defeated by Joseph DiMartino, the BOA/A voted to fund the human resources position at $70,000 annually.
- Christopher sued in July 2024, saying the BOA/A’s action violated her existing contract with the city.
Derby’s lawyers in the case filed a motion to dismiss in September 2024. The judge’s written ruling was issued Sept. 9, 2025.
Derby’s lawyers successfully argued the contract with Christopher was not binding because it was signed without the approval of the city’s legislative body, a step outlined in the Derby Charter.
In essence, there was no contract, the judge ruled.
Compensation for the human resources position was one of many procedural arguments and power squabbles between Dziekan and the Democratic majority on the BOA/A during Dziekan’s third, two-year term as mayor.