A Washington state jury has ordered the Port of Seattle to pay its former police chief, Rodney Covey, $24.2 million—exceeding by $4 million the damages award suggested by his own counsel. The verdict followed a lengthy legal battle where Covey alleged he was wrongfully terminated in retaliation for raising issues relating to the propriety of internal workplace investigations at the Port.
Covey claimed the Port ended his distinguished law enforcement career abruptly in 2021, contending that his dismissal was based on false accusations of retaliation against a subordinate.
Throughout the trial, Covey argued that he was the actual victim of retaliation for raising concerns about the port’s Workplace Responsibility Department, and the handling of an internal investigation, in 2019. Covey asserted that the Port’s leadership unfairly targeted him, tarnishing his reputation and foreclosing any future career prospects in law enforcement.
Covey’s legal team underscored the emotional toll of the termination, recommending the jury award between $12 million to $18 million for the distress caused by his firing, in addition to lost wages. Ultimately the jury reached a verdict in excess of those proffered figures—finding the Port liable for wrongful termination and awarding Covey $1.7 million in economic damages and $22.5 million in non-economic damages.
The case is Rodney Covey v. Port of Seattle, case number 22-2-20666-7, King County Superior Court.
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