The city of Apache Junction is hiring a presiding magistrate with a salary of $140,000 to $180,000 after accepting the resignation of Aaron Douglas LaSota, who was hired for the position in 2021 for $125,000 a year. A separation agreement states LaSota has a lawsuit alleging discrimination at the Pinal County Superior Court that will be withdrawn.

The Apache Junction Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil traffic violations and city code offenses that occur within the city limits of Apache Junction. Any court in Arizona can hear petitions for order of protections or injunctions prohibiting harassment, according to the city’s website.

The Apache Junction City Council on Oct. 1 voted unanimously as part of a consent agenda with other items to approve a separation agreement with LaSota that includes:

• a lump gross sum of $63,936.31 as non-wage compensation;
• a lump gross sum of $9,313.69, which will be characterized in the nature of wages, less applicable state and federal withholding taxes as required by law.
LaSota was to be paid his regular wages through Oct. 1 and the city is to continue LaSota’s health insurance benefits through Oct. 31.

The separation agreement states, “Employee warrants that, other than the charge of discrimination and the lawsuit pending before the Superior Court in the County of Pinal, A. Douglas LaSota v. City of Apache Junction S1100CV202401940, he does not have any other claim, lawsuit, complaint, charge, bar complaint, grievance, or other legal action pending against employer or any other released party with any court, tribunal, administrative agency, governmental agency, or other such body. As part of this agreement, employee will withdraw or otherwise agree to the dismissal of the charge of discrimination and will authorize a stipulation to the dismissal of cause number S1100CV202401940 with prejudice, with each party bearing his or its own attorneys’ fees and costs.”