UPDATE: City Council Approves $350,000 Settlement - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

City Of Spokane Press Release: 

Spokane, WA – The City of Spokane and Detective Jeff Harvey have agreed to resolve a civil lawsuit involving an employment dispute, filed by Detective Harvey against the City and former Police Chief, Anne Kirkpatrick.

The lawsuit alleged that Detective Harvey had been wrongfully discharged from employment by the City of Spokane in retaliation for his activities as Vice President of the Spokane Police Guild.  The lawsuit also alleged privacy violations and defamation.

While the City and former Chief Kirkpatrick denied those allegations and were prepared to vigorously defend the claims, all parties agreed that resolution of the matter without protracted and expensive litigation would be beneficial.  Accordingly, the parties engaged in mediation in August of 2012, during which the parties were able to reach a settlement in the amount of $350,000.  Additionally, while the City has not admitted any liability in this matter, as a condition of the settlement agreement, the City has agreed to permanently remove the 2011 Termination Letter from Detective Harvey's employment files and add a notation to his IA file stating that the matter was terminated without discipline pursuant to the settlement.  Also agreed as a condition of settlement, the City states its regret for any harm that may have occurred to Detective Harvey's reputation as a result of his termination from employment, as well as any negative effect that Detective Harvey's family may have suffered as a result of Detective Harvey's termination.

Detective Harvey was out of work for 10 months, but was reinstated by the Spokane Police Department on May 14, 2012.

The parties believe that this is a fair and just resolution of this matter, and have agreed to make no further comment on the matter.

For more information on this story, please see below:

Previous Coverage:

SPOKANE, Wash. - On Monday, the Spokane City Council will consider yet another payout, this one for $350,000 dollars to a fired, then rehired Spokane Police Detective.

Detective Jeff Harvey was fired by former Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick in July 2011 for what she said was a "troubled work history." Harvey was charged with obstruction of justice after an encounter with a Washington State Fish and Wildlife officer in January of 2011. Harvey was acquitted of the charge in September of 2011.

He was rehired back in May to the same rank prior to his firing.

According to our partners at The Spokesman Review, Harvey's lawsuit accuses the city of violating the confidentiality of his employment records and retaliating against him because of his service with the Spokane Police Guild.

Monday night, the City Council will considering settling the lawsuit and paying out $350,000.

KHQ will be at the City Council meeting Monday night and will update you with their decision as soon as it is made.