This is an undated contributed photo of Jenny Harless, who accused former ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä police chief James “Tyke†Hunt of sexual misconduct in 2022, leading to his placement on administrative leave.
A woman who previously filed a complaint against former ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Police Chief James "Tyke" Hunt filed a lawsuit on Saturday against him, the ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Police Department and the City of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.
This is an undated contributed photo of Jenny Harless, who accused former ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä police chief James “Tyke†Hunt of sexual misconduct in 2022, leading to his placement on administrative leave.
In the filing in Kanawha County Circuit Court, the woman, Jennifer Harless, is claiming damages for emotional and physical abuse by Hunt. She also claims the City of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä and the ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Police Department are liable for Hunt's actions within the scope of his employment.
Because of several claims of violations of Harless's Constitutional rights, Harless's attorney, Adrian Hoosier of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, said Monday that the case will "probably end up in federal court." Later Monday, Hoosier said he would make no other comments on the case at this time.
Tina Stinson, director of communications for the City of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, said that the city's attorney hasn't seen the lawsuit as of Monday afternoon, and that they would have no comment at this time.
On Sept. 11, Harless filed a complaint against Hunt alleging the former police chief made sexual advances toward her in his office in 2022.
On Friday, following ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Pension Board hearing, Hunt retired from the CPD following a suspension and a demotion. The Board voted to approve a medical disability pension for Hunt of $6,038.40 a month.
On April 8, Hunt was suspended 20 days without pay for multiple department policy violations after Harless and another woman filed complaints against him. On April 2, he was demoted two ranks, from lieutenant to corporal.
Harless is suing the city, police department and Hunt on 11 different counts. Among them, she alleges her 14th Amendment rights were violated on the grounds of failing to investigate her reports, properly discipline Hunt and destroying evidence of the sexual assault.
The complaint also said defendants in the case violated the West Virginia Human Rights Act because they destroyed evidence and denied Harless due process.
The lawsuit also claims Harless was retaliated against because Hunt called the FBI and West Virginia State Police to intimidate her. The lawsuit claims this was a violation of her First Amendment rights.
The second lawsuit against Hunt
Harless's lawsuit is the second against Hunt in recent months.
A former ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä police officer, Chelsea McCoy, filed a lawsuit in March in Kanawha County Circuit Court against Hunt, alleging that Hunt engaged in sexual activity with her when he was her superior.
