The ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä City Council unanimously voted Monday night to settle a lawsuit against the city for alleged misconduct by the former chief of police for $375,000.
Then-ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Police Chief Tyke Hunt is shown speaking on April 30, 2021.
CHRIS DORST | Gazette-Mail file photo
Chelsea McCoy, a former ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä police officer, filed the lawsuit in the spring of 2024, alleging that then-Chief Tyke Hunt engaged in sexual activity with her when he was her superior.
The misconduct accusations included Hunt telling McCoy that, if she engaged in sexual activity with him, “he would ensure that she passed†a polygraph exam.
McCoy filed a complaint about the alleged conduct with the CPD in August 2023.
Hunt stepped down as chief that month and was placed on administrative leave the next month. After an investigation into McCoy’s complaint and another woman’s complaint, Hunt was demoted two ranks and suspended for 20 days without pay. He retired with a medical disability pension last July.
The lawsuit was mediated by retired Kanawha County Circuit Judge Duke Bloom. The city already had incurred $205,000 in legal expenses, City Attorney Kevin Baker said. It will pay a maximum of $300,000 out of pocket, including about $85,000 of the settlement, Baker estimated. The remainder will be paid by the city’s insurance policy.
There is no admission of liability on behalf of the city with this settlement, Baker said. Additionally, McCoy has agreed to not seek reinstatement.
Councilmember comments
Ward 11 Councilmember Shannon Snodgrass said she has been a “strong advocate†for the women who made allegations against Hunt, “one of our most expensive police chiefs.â€
“I’m pleased for Ms. McCoy,†Snodgrass said. “I applaud her for standing up and to continue to stand up for what she believed occurred. I know that took a lot of guts.â€
Ward 5 Councilmember Jeanine Faegre, who said she had a close relationship with Hunt, spoke disapprovingly of council members who supported McCoy.
“I will be voting yes for this settlement ... based on what is best for the city, not what is best for Chelsea McCoy, not what is best for Jeanine, but what is best for the citizens of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, West Virginia,†she said.
Other actions
Council members also approved:
A $3.2 million contract with Bear Contracting to pave city streets this paving season
$158,750 to purchase two properties next to Fire Station 7 on Bigley Avenue for a potential expansion project
An extension of the contract with OVG Facilities to continue managing the ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Coliseum & Convention Center
A resolution of the intent to change the speed limit on Kanawha Boulevard to 30 mph after the completion of the Capital Connector project
A bill changing sign regulations on buildings over 10 stories in height in the Central Business District
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