EAST St. LOUIS —
After nearly two years, a verdict has finally been reached in a former St. Elmo police chief’s federal lawsuit against the city that employed him and the mayor who fired him. And both sides believe they won.
After more than six hours of deliberations, the jury ruled Thursday in favor of former Police Chief Ken Thomason, who sued Mayor Larry Tish and the city of St. Elmo for discrimination following his termination as police chief.
“I feel really good,” Thomason said Thursday. “The reason I took them to court was because I thought they did me an injustice, and the jury backed that injustice up.”
However, as a result of the verdict, Thomason was only awarded $1 in compensatory damages, including lost wages and mental anguish. Still, Thomason is pleased.
“Money wasn’t the issue,” he said.
Despite the finding, Tish believes the amount awarded is proof the city was “victorious” in the case.
“The return amount of a $1 speaks volumes,” he said. “The jury did the right thing, and the city is really better off without him.”
Tish is glad the trial is over.
“Now, we can move on and continue growing the police department,” he said.
Thomason said the last four days of the trial, which took place in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois in East St. Louis, have been tiring, and he also is ready to move on.
“This was the main part of my life for nearly two years, and I’m ready to start life without having to concentrate on this every day,” he said.
Thomason has been drawing a small pension and doing odd jobs since his termination, as well as staying active in the community, but he has no definite future plans.
“We’ll see what the future holds,” he said.
Part of that future will see Thomason back in court as a lawsuit claiming slander by Tish is pending in Fayette County Circuit Court.
“It’s been on hold due to the federal case, but now I can concentrate on moving forward with that,” he said.
For now, Thomason mourns his former 32-year career in law enforcement.
“Not a day goes by that I don’t miss it,” he said. “Every time I go by the police station or see a squad car, it hurts and probably always will.”
Cathy Thoele can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 126 or cathy.thoele@effinghamdailynews.com.
Local News
Related Photos
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St. Elmo Police Station
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Former St. Elmo Police Chief Ken Thomason
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St. Elmo Mayor Larry Tish
Discussion
Federal jury sides with former police chief in discrimination suit
Compensentory damages only $1
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