Monterey pays another former officer, this time for $75,000.

For the second time in nine months, Monterey has entered into a legal settlement with one of its former police officers.

But unlike the first settlement—which saw the city pay $700,000 to Shaumbe Wright, a former black officer who filed a discrimination suit after being passed over for sergeant seven times—the recent payout is far less impactful to the city's finances, and totals $75,000.

The settlement stems from an August 2014 lawsuit filed by former Monterey officer Stephanie Lamb, who joined the force in October 2011 after about six years with the Modesto Police Department. Shortly after Lamb joined the Monterey force, she injured her knee in a March 2012 training academy.

According to Lamb’s complaint, she left the academy nine days before completing it and worked light duty for Monterey PD until her first surgery in August 2012. Three more surgeries followed, with her last being in December 2013.

Lamb was finally cleared for full duty in February 2014, but according to her complaint, although she was "able and willing to perform all of the essential functions of her job," she still "had chronic limitations to her left knee that limit her daily life."

Lamb’s doctor requested she be able to return to work with an athletic shoe, but the department denied the request, the complaint states. Lamb returned to full duty without the athletic shoe, and she alleges that coworkers made comments about her "limp."

Lamb met with a facilitator brought in by the department in February 2014, after an internal survey revealed low morale on the force. According to Lamb’s complaint, she told the facilitator "she felt she had been discriminated against and harassed due to her knee disability." It also states that though the comments were meant to be confidential, she "believes her comments were discussed with her superiors."

Lamb attended another academy in March 2014 and, according to her complaint, was given an award (by the academy) for "most improved in physical fitness and defensive tactics."

At the time, however, Lamb remained a probationary employee for MPD, meaning she could be let go at anytime.

Her probation was extended in April 2014 for 53 days until May 30, 2014. The reason given, the complaint states, was that spending 20-plus cumulative days at a training academy was grounds for an extension.

Lamb was let go from the force April 17, 2014. Her lawsuit four months later alleges she was let go for "misguided concerns" about her injury.

The city’s response to Lamb's complaint, filed by Monterey Assistant City Attorney Karin Salameh in November 2014, "denies generally and singularly, specifically and individually, each and every allegation" made by Lamb.

The settlement, which was signed by Mayor Clyde Roberson July 23, was obtained by the Weekly through a Public Records Act request. The agreement releases the city from all future liability related to Lamb’s complaint, and states there is no admission of wrongdoing by any city employees.

The city will pay Lamb $45,000, and $30,000 in attorney's fees to Roseville-based firm Henk Leonard.