FAYETTEVILLE — Fayetteville has settled a lawsuit with a disabled veteran ticketed for parking in handicapped spaces.

The Fayetteville Observer reports that Gulf War veteran Ed Donovan was ticketed for parking in downtown spaces in 2008 and fined $1,500. He refused to pay and sued after his credit rating was damaged.

The city has now dismissed the tickets, but there's still confusion over North Carolina's license plates.

Donovan has a partially disabled veteran plate issued by the state and he says that entitled him to park in handicapped spots. His lawsuit said he is 60 percent disabled.

The state also offers two plates for vets who are 100 percent disabled. State officials say those vets can park in handicapped spaces but partially disabled vets also need a handicapped placard.