A summary of events:

In September 2009, Sergeant Brad Thoma rear-ended a woman in Spokane, Washington while under the influence. He left the scene of the accident. Because the woman he hit was not injured, she and another witness were able to follow him and report the accident. Sergeant Thoma was arrested, cited for DUI, and released, placed on paid leave. He was driving his truck and not on duty at the time.

He had a blood-alcohol level of .171, double the legal limit of .080. The hit and run was dismissed and he was given the option to defer prosecution for the DUI if he completed a program.

The controversy:

Thoma was ordered by Chief Kirkpatrick to use an ignition interlock device while operating city vehicles in order to remain employed. He refused the offer and was fired.

Thoma then hired a lawyer and filed a complaint with the Washington State Human Rights Commission who mediated the case. As part of a settlement agreement, he was offered a job as a detective, a slight demotion from sergeant (from $91,000/yr to $80,000/yr) as well as $275,000 of back pay and $15,000 to pay his attorney. All of this was at the city’s expense.

Thoma’s attorney, Bob Dunn, claimed his alcoholism was a disability caused by stress on the job and drew comparisons to epilepsy. The city claimed they were unaware of any evidence that he was an alcoholic.

The Spokane city council unanimously rejected the settlement agreement on February 27, 2012, citing flaws in Washington state’s labor laws. Mayor David Condon, however, has signed it, claiming it protects the city from further litigation.

Thoma’s lawyer has threatened to sue for $4 million if the council does not approve the settlement by Wednesday.

So there you have it. A cop drove drunk, fled the scene, got fired, and has threatened to sue the city.

Links:
http://www.khq.com/Global/story.asp?S=11188467
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/jan/08/change-in-dui-law-means-fired-cop-can-be-rehired/
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/feb/22/settlement-awards-officer-job-back-pay/
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/feb/22/mayor-defends-thoma-settlement/
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/feb/23/fired-officers-settlement-unleashes-outcry-review/
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/feb/27/stuckart-says-council-likely-will-reject-thoma-set/
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017613085_apwaspokaneofficerdui.html