HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026 15_Legal Defense for Owasso, PD, Pittinger and GregoryCITY OF OWASSO, OKLAHOMA
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-15
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OWASSO, OKLAHOMA,
RETAINING LEGAL SERVICES TO DEFEND THE CITY OF OWASSO, AND OFFICERS
MATTHEW GREGORY AND BAYLOR PITTINGER, AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING
PAYMENT FOR SUCH LEGAL DEFENSE
WHEREAS, Officers Matthew Gregory and Baylor Pittinger, Owasso Police Department, have
been named in a lawsuit styled as 26-cv-00486-MTS Taylor Nichols v. City of Owasso ex rel
Owasso Police Department; Matthew Gregory, an Owasso Police Officer; Baylor Pittinger, and
Owasso Police Officer, alleging violations of constitutional rights, civil liberties, and deprivation of
rights under color of law;
WHEREAS, Officers Matthew Gregory and Baylor Pittinger are required to respond to and
defend the lawsuit filed by Plaintiff, and are required to assert all claims they may have related
to the issues raised by Plaintiff in this action;
WHEREAS, approval of this Resolution is in the best interest of the residents of the City of
Owasso.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Owasso, Oklahoma, as
follows:
Keith Wilkes and the law firm of Hall, Estill is hereby retained by the City to provide legal
representation for Officers Matthew Gregory and Baylor Pittinger, and the City of Owasso, in the
litigation styled as Taylor Nichols v City of Owasso ex rel Owasso Police Department; Matthew
Greaorv, on Owasso Police Officer Baylor Pittinger, an Owasso Police Officer Case No. 26-cv-
00486-M TS.
ATTEST:
Heather Stewart, eputy City Clerk
Ap oved as to Wm:
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J ie Lombardi, City Attorney °«
Dated this 1st day of September, 2026.
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Julie Trout Lombardi, City Attorney
SUBJECT: Resolution 2026-15, retaining legal services to defend Officers Matthew Gregory
and Baylor Pittinger, and authorization for payment of a legal defense, for
Officers Matthew Gregory and Baylor Pittinger in the litigation styled Taylor Nichols
v. City of Owasso ex rel Owasso Police Department, Matthew Gregory, an
Owasso Police Officer, Baylor Pittinger, and Owasso Police Officer, 26-cv-00486-
M TS
DATE: August 28, 2026
BACKGROUND:
On August 7, 2026, a lawsuit was filed by Plaintiff in the Federal Court - United States District Court
for the Northern District of Oklahoma - against Officers Matthew Gregory and Baylor Pittinger
alleging violations of constitutional rights, civil liberties, and deprivation of rights under color of
law_ Service of process has not yet been made upon the officers.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve Resolution 2026-15, retaining Keith Wilkes and the
firm of Hall, Estill for legal defense, and authorizing payment of a legal defense for Officers
Matthew Gregory and Baylor Pittinger in the litigation styled Taylor Nichols v. City of Owasso ex
rel Owasso Police Deoartment; Matthew Greoorv, an Owasso Police Officer: Bavlor Pittinaer, an
Owasso Police Officer, 26-cv-00486-MTS, Federal Court - United States District Court for the
Northern District of Oklahoma
ATTACHMENT:
Proposed Resolution 2026-15