City of Brooklyn Center, Ex-Police Chief Settle Lawsuit
The city of Brooklyn Center and its former police chief have settled an employment lawsuit that came in the wake of the Daunte Wright shooting.
The city paid former police chief Tim Gannon and his attorneys $55,000 to settle the lawsuit.
According to the settlement — which was obtained by CCX News through a Minnesota Government Data Practices Act request — Gannon will receive $26,140.93. His attorneys will receive $28,859.07.
Gannon signed off on the settlement on Nov. 27, 2023, while the city signed off on Dec. 4.
Hennepin County District Court Judge Patrick Robben then ordered the case dismissed on Dec. 26, 2023.
Gannon was Brooklyn Center’s chief of police during the fatal shooting of Wright by former police officer Kim Potter on April 11, 2021. He resigned two days after the incident.
Gannon later sued the city claiming state statute and employment violations.
Current Brooklyn Center Mayor April Graves, former Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott, Brooklyn Center City Council Member Marquita Butler and city manager Reggie Edwards were all named in the lawsuit.
Former Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon speaks at a community discussion on race and policing in 2020. The city of Brooklyn Center paid Gannon and his attorneys $55,000 to settle an employment lawsuit that followed the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright.
Claims From Former Brooklyn Center Police Chief in Lawsuit
Broadly, Gannon claimed that he was forced to resign from his position in lieu of termination, depriving him of due process and breaching his contract. He also claimed he was effectively fired for his race.
Following is a full list of the charges claimed in Gannon’s lawsuit, which was filed in 2022:
- Retaliation in violation of the Minnesota Whistleblower Act
- Discriminatory discharge because of race against Edwards and the city
- Breach of contract
- Violation of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act
- Violation of open meeting laws
- Defamation against Butler, Elliott, Graves and the city
- Promissory estoppel against the city
- Due process violation against Edwards, Butler, Graves and the city
A judge later dismissed several of these charges in early 2023. Claims dismissed include discriminatory discharge, breach of contract and promissory estoppel.
Gannon’s due process claims, as well as his Data Practices Act and open meeting law claims were allowed to move forward.
“Gannon also state a claim for defamation against Elliott; all other defamation claims are dismissed with prejudice,” wrote Judge Robben.
The parties later filed a stipulation to dismiss the case due to the settlement on Dec. 21, 2023.
No Comment From Parties After Case Settled
Graves declined to comment on the settlement.
Gannon and his attorneys, the city of Brooklyn Center and its attorneys, and Elliott did not respond to requests for comment before this story was published.
“The City entered into a settlement in an effort to mitigate spending unnecessary time and money,” Butler said. “The settlement was agreed upon in the best interest of the City. The City is focusing its energy on the many positive efforts underway in Brooklyn Center.”
Kellace McDaniel, Gannon’s replacement, retired effective Jan. 31, 2024. He spent about a year and a half on the job.
As a result, the city is without a permanent police chief.
Brooklyn Center Police Commander Tony Gruenig is serving as interim police chief.
