Former Seattle police chief sues city for discrimination and wrongful termination

Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz has filed a $10 million lawsuit against the city, accusing it of wrongful termination and discrimination. Diaz is currently on paid administrative leave.

The tort claim was first obtained and reported by Fox 13 Seattle. The lawsuit, filed Oct. 9, alleges the city “wrongfully fired and discriminated against, harassed and retaliated against former Chief Diaz when he expressed his sexual orientation” to Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell.

Diaz, along with Seattle Police Department Communications Director Jamie Tompkins, were recently placed on paid administrative leave, The Center Square previously reported.

In June, Diaz responded to allegations of sexual discrimination and harassment by female officers in an interview with “The Jason Rantz Show.” During the interview, Diaz revealed that he is gay.

Diaz first faced lawsuits over grooming and harassment charges in late April, when a $5 million tort claim was filed by four female Seattle Police Department employees who allege gender discrimination, sexual harassment and a hostile work environment in department.

The following month, Diaz resigned as police chief. During a press conference on May 29, Harrell called Diaz a “good man” several times.

After Diaz resigned, he was transferred to the department to “perform special assignments.”

Harrell’s office denies the allegations in the wrongdoing complaint.

“Adrian Diaz has not been fired and remains an employee of the city,” Jamie Housen, the mayor’s communications director, said in an email to The Center Square. “The City denies the allegations in the lawsuit for damages – other than that, we cannot comment on the pending lawsuit or any related investigations.”