Former West Terre Haute Officer Paid $50k To Settle Lawsuit

jonathan-stevens

WEST TERRE HAUTE, Ind.  — A former West Terre Haute police officer who appealed his firing has accepted $50,000 to settle a 2015 federal lawsuit alleging racial discrimination according to released records.

Jonathan Stevens, who is black, signed an agreement in 2017 to resolve the complaint. He had alleged the West Terre Haute town council and police chief conspired not to hire him. The settlement amount was disclosed to the Tribune-Star  by West Terre Haute after the newspaper filed a public records request.

Stevens was fired from his position as an officer by the West Terre Haute Safety Board late last month after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct. The plea was part of an agreement. He was originally charged with domestic battery in front of a minor after being arrested in 2017.