Long Branch settles suit with ex-employee who said she was fired for acting as whistleblower

Officials say a New Jersey shore town has settled a lawsuit brought by a former city employee who claimed she was fired for acting as a whistleblower on official misconduct.

The Asbury Park Press reports (http://on.app.com/1UZMbRb ) Julie Acerra was Long Branch's principal personnel clerk from 1995 until her dismissal in 2011.

The lawsuit claimed the city was in violation of New Jersey's Conscientious Employee Protection Act when it fired Acerra for whistleblowing during her employment. Acerra's attorney says the settlement was reached Wednesday.

On Tuesday, a state Superior Court judge prohibited Acerra from disclosing several pieces of evidence if the case went to trial.

Among the forbidden evidence was Acerra's claim she was fired for cooperating with an FBI corruption probe in 2005.

The settlement terms weren't disclosed.

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Information from: Asbury Park (N.J.) Press, http://www.app.com