SPOKANE, Wash. -- A Spokane police officer fired in 2009 after driving drunk while off duty, hitting a pickup with his truck and leaving the scene of the collision is likely to be rehired and get more than two years of back pay -- totaling about $275,000.
Other media outlets report that in a settlement mediated by the Washington State Human Rights Commission, Brad Thoma will be rehired March 1 in a demoted position of detective -- if the Spokane City Council agrees to the deal on Monday.
Prior to his firing in December 2009, Thoma was a sergeant.
Under the agreement, the city will also pay his attorney $15,000. Thoma's attorney, Bob Dunn, argues that job-related stress led Thoma to alcoholism and should be regarded as a disability.
The Spokane Police Department posted these comments on their Facebook page:
City of Spokane Police Department: Thoma received a deferred prosecution agreement after his 2009 arrest for DUI. As a result, it was determined that he couldn't meet the basic requirements of the job and was terminated. State law changed, restoring his full driving privileges in January 2011. The City of Spokane worked with Thoma to negotiate his return to work. Thoma was never convicted of a felony.
City of Spokane Police Department: RCW 46.61.502 is the Washington State Law regarding DUI. Determining a felony vs. a misdemeanor hit and run depends on extent of injuries during the crash. The change in state law was in regards to the ignition interlock device and driving privileges. Sadly, our community has experienced several alcohol related crashes lately.
