The City of Mountlake Terrace will pay $587,500 to settle a lawsuit filed by the police chief's former confidential secretary, who alleged city officials conspired to have her fired after she gave damaging testimony in another lawsuit against the city.

The Seattle Times reports ( http://tinyurl.com/aze4rtl)the settlement with former police administrative secretary Martha Karl comes after the city paid nearly $1 million in 2009 to settle a suit filed by former police Sgt. Jonathan Wender, who was fired in 2005 purportedly for dishonesty. Wender sued and, relying heavily on the testimony of Karl and others, alleged Assistant Chief Charles "Pete" Caw and others targeted him because he publicly favored decriminalization of marijuana.

In her suit, Karl alleged she was transferred, demoted and then fired because of testimony she provided in depositions in Wender's lawsuit. Karl said the city had violated her First Amendment protections.