The Palm Bay City Council will vote tonight on a proposed $55,000 settlement in a lawsuit filed by Councilman Chandler Langevin. The settlement, which would pay Langevin’s attorney and cover the city’s legal fees, comes after Langevin sued the city last fall following his censure for social media posts about Indian immigrants. The council passed a censure resolution in October that limited Langevin’s ability to place items on the agenda and speak during certain parts of meetings. The proposed agreement does not require either side to admit wrongdoing, and Langevin’s attorney would dismiss the federal case within 10 days of receiving the payment.
Langevin’s lawsuit argued that the censure resolution violated his First Amendment rights. The council had previously voted to ask Gov. Ron DeSantis to remove Langevin from office over social media comments that included calls to deport Indian immigrants and claims that they ‘are here to exploit us financially and enrich India.’ The city also accused Langevin of misusing public resources by sending a letter to Rep. Mike Haridopolos using city letterhead to request a pardon for a California man linked to white supremacist groups convicted in 2024.
The censure resolution, passed during an October 16 meeting, specifically restricted Langevin’s voting privileges and speaking time during council sessions. Council members cited concerns over Langevin’s rhetoric and the potential impact on the city’s reputation. The settlement would resolve the federal case but leave the censure in place. Langevin’s attorney, Anthony Sabatini, has not publicly commented on the terms.
The city’s attorney, Michael Reynolds, said the settlement avoids further litigation while allowing the council to move forward. ‘This is about closing a chapter and focusing on the city’s priorities,’ Reynolds said during a recent interview. The vote comes as the council faces pressure to address internal disputes while managing local issues like infrastructure and public safety. Council members have not yet taken a public stance on the settlement, but the vote is expected to be close.