Former Seattle police chief sues city for discrimination, wrongful discharge
(The Center Square) – Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz has filed a $10 million tort claim against the city alleging a wrongful discharge and discrimination. Diaz is currently on paid administrative leave.
The tort claim was first obtained and reported by Fox 13 Seattle. The claim, filed on Oct. 9, states that the city “wrongfully discharged and discriminated, harassed and retaliated against former Chief Diaz when he expressed his sexual orientation” to Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell.
Diaz, along with Seattle Police Department Director of Communications Jamie Tompkins, were recently placed on paid administrative leave, as previously reported by The Center Square.
In June, Diaz responded to claims of sexual discrimination and harassment by the female officers in an interview on “The Jason Rantz Show.” During the interview, Diaz revealed that he is gay.
Diaz first faced lawsuits alleging grooming and harassment in late April when a $5 million tort claim was filed by four female Seattle Police Department officers, who allege sex discrimination, sexual harassment and a hostile work environment within the department.
The following month, Diaz stepped down from the police chief position. During a press conference on May 29, Harrell called Diaz a “good human being” multiple times.
After Diaz stepped down, he was moved within the department to “work on special assignments.”
Harrell’s office denies the allegations in the tort claim.
“Adrian Diaz has not been discharged and remains an employee of the city,” said Jamie Housen, the mayor’s director of communications, in an email to The Center Square. “The city denies the allegations in the claim for damages – beyond this, we are unable to comment on the pending claim or any related investigations.”
