InsideLowell has learned the City of Lowell has been served a demand letter under the Massachusetts Tort Claims Act over its unsuccessful attempts to block Dominik Lay from serving on the Lowell School Committee.

The letter alleges “negligent hiring and supervision of the Solicitor’s Office,” while also informing the city that a Federal Civil Rights suit will be filed in the future.

According to inside sources, Lay would be entitled to compensation up to $100,000 under the Tort Claim. The Civil Rights claim, if filed, has no cap on compensation and would also entitle Lay to recover legal fees. That number could be in the millions of dollars.

The demand letter references a July 29, 2022 court order requiring then Solicitor Christine O’Connor respond to a public records discovery request regarding how the initial complaint against Mr. Lay was brought forward.

The letter further states that on or around September 29, 2022, O’Connor responded that there were no documents responsive to the request, other than those already provided. According to Lay’s attorney, Roland Millard, no such documents were ever provided before or after the public records discovery request regarding how the investigation of his client was launched.

Requests for comment by the Lay’s attorney and the City of Lowell have not been returned.

The ongoing legal battle between the two sides began in February of 2021, when Robert Hoey stepped down from the School Committee. Lay was next in line to fill that seat, based on his election finish. However, under the leadership of Solicitor O’Connor, the city questioned Lay’s eligibility to serve based on questions regarding his residency.

Lowell’s Election Commission agreed with O’Connor, denying him the seat. Lay was eventually successful in reversing the decision in a series of court victories. Eventually, the City swore him into office in May of 2021