[Wednesday, April 15] On April 13, 2026, plaintiff Mark Belton filed a voluntary dismissal of his federal discrimination lawsuit because of a settlement reached between the parties. In December 2025, Belton filed a lawsuit against the Charles County Board of Commissioners after the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued a right-to-sue letter. The case was settled for $550,000, and all discrimination claims have been dismissed. The settlement resolves the dispute, is not an admission of wrongdoing, and releases all claims against the defendants in both their official and individual capacities.

In addition to the discrimination claims, Belton also sued Charles County for breach of contract. That claim was also dismissed because there has been no breach of his contract; however, he retains the right to file a lawsuit in the future if a breach occurs.