South Carolina Mayor’s Death Settlement Reduced to $10M

A settlement has been reached in the lawsuit against the town of Cottageville over the shooting death of the former mayor by a police officer.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reported the $97 million awarded by a federal jury last fall has been reduced to $10 million.

Under the settlement, the town will not have to pay any of Rathe money. Its insurance carrier will handle the payment.

The family of former Mayor Bert Reeves had sued the town after he was shot and killed following an argument in 2011 by former officer Randall Price.

No decision has been made on criminal charges against Price. Prosecutors are awaiting an investigation by the State Law Enforcement Division. He was fired several months after Reeves was fired.