KINGWOOD — A lawsuit filed by two former police officers against the City of Kingwood and Mayor Jean Guillot has been dismissed by mutual agreement.
In the suit Todd Nestor and Felix Thorn said they were forced to resign in April 2018 because they were investigating “high profile” people for alleged drug violations.
The order to dismiss says each side is to bear its own costs and attorney fees. It does not say if any money was paid the former officers. Attorney David Gruneau, who represented the officers, said the terms of the settlement are confidential.
In court filings, the city said the officers were questioned after it was discovered Nestor had sent messages from an account not in his name to an 18-year-old city employee, causing her to fear for her safety.
City elected officials have never commented publicly on the officers’ departure from the city’s employment except in filings in the suit prepared by their attorney.
The officers sued on six counts, including allegations that the whistleblower statute was violated, allegations of obstructing an officer and allegations of violating statute by failing to provide a notice of hearing, rights regarding the investigation and/or a hearing.
Those allegations were dismissed by mutual agreement in December 2019, leaving allegations of wrongful discharge, abusive process and defamation of character.
The final dismissal order signed last week by Preston Circuit Judge Steve Shaffer says that “all matters in controversy between these parties have been settled and compromised and that the parties jointly move the court to dismiss this matter with prejudice.”
Matters dismissed with prejudice cannot be filed with the court again.
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