OFFICER WINS THOUSANDS Former East Bank Officer Awarded $435,000 After Firing
Reported by: Rachael Tarr
Web Producer: Jeff Morris
Reported: Nov. 5, 2012 10:46 AM EST
Updated: Nov. 5, 2012 1:59 PM EST
Eyewitness News Photo
East Bank
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
The city of East Bank fired a police officer, now it’s going to have to dish out hundreds of thousands of dollars after he sued the town in court and won.
Last month, a jury awarded Steve Smith almost $435,000 on claims that city officials wrongfully fired him. It all started after he charged Town Recorder Bill Thompson with obstruction and disorderly conduct for intervening in the arrest of his neighbor in 2008. That week, Smith also had gotten in trouble for allegedly using a Taser on a pregnant woman and a volunteer firefighter.
After he left the East Bank department, Smith was hired by the Glasgow Police Department. Last year, a man shot Smith in the upper arm while he was investigating a burglary. Smith was wearing plainclothes, and the man mistook the officer for an intruder.
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Rachael Tarr
