LISBON — A federal judge has approved an $80,000 settlement against Columbiana County and East Palestine to end a lawsuit filed by NewsNation journalist Evan Lambert over his arrest last year.

Judge Benita Pearson in Youngstown signed the one-page entry Feb. 7 that also included attorney fees, which, according to a story on the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press website, were $32,000.

Claims against Columbiana County Sheriff Brian McLaughlin, sheriff’s office Chief Deputy Jen Tucker, East Palestine police Chief James Brown III and East Palestine detective Dan Haueter were dismissed with prejudice, meaning they can’t be refiled. The claims against Major General John C. Harris Jr., adjutant general of the Ohio National Guard, were voluntarily dismissed.

Lambert filed the lawsuit Nov. 13, claiming his civil rights were violated during the arrest Feb. 9, 2023, in the East Palestine elementary school gym. Lambert had been there to cover a press conference with Gov. Mike DeWine regarding the East Palestine train derailment and fire.

An attorney for Baker Dublikar of North Canton who represented East Palestine and its officers confirmed Wednesday the cost will be split between the county and village and paid by the insurers. The village is covered by the Public Entities Pool of Ohio and the county by County Risk Sharing Authority.

Lambert was reporting live at the back of the gym when the governor started the press conference. He had been asked by Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers to stop since the press conference had begun, then the general became involved in the encounter and the law enforcement official responded to the disturbance after seeing what was happening.

Lambert was charged with criminal trespass and resisting arrest after police accused him of refusing to leave after being asked. He was taken to the ground after officers claimed he pulled away from them while being escorted out.

The charges in Columbiana County Municipal Court were dismissed after the case was turned over to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s office.