The city of Ashland has made a resolving agreement in the lawsuit filed by former police officer Thomas Whitener.
As part of the settlement, Whitener will not return to employment as a law enforcement officer with the city of Ashland.
The suit was in relation to employment concerns in 2023, where Whitener sent a letter to the Ashland City administrator describing misdeed by former police chief Gabe Edwards, alleging that he put his wife and close friend on the department roster so they could carry concealed weapons in any state.
On August 8, 2023, Whitener was fired from his position, and on October 16, 2023, he sued the city for wrongful termination.
The city of Ashland stated in a press release that they have several improvements with the aim of strengthening hiring practices, personnel management, and accountability measures.