Philadelphia, Former Employee Agree to End Political Bias Suit

A former employee within Philadelphia’s Register of Wills Office agreed to drop First Amendment claims against the city and its register of wills, John Sabatina.

The parties filed a stipulation of dismissal with prejudice Dec. 19 in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Sabatina was elected register of wills in November 2023 and assumed office Jan. 2, 2024. Stephanie Graham, who worked in the office as an administrative deputy, alleged she was fired Jan. 9, 2024, because she supported Sabatina’s political opponent in the May 2023 Democratic primary election.

• Graham claimed that 19 other administrative employees ...