Gibraltar Police Chief Richard Tanguay has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the city, claiming he was dismissed in retaliation for exposing corruption within the fire department and trying to prevent an illegal construction project.
The lawsuit, filed in Wayne County Circuit Court on Wednesday, alleges Tanguay was terminated in retaliation for blowing the whistle.
On Oct. 14, a divided city council decided to fire Tanguay, effective on Halloween, according to the lawsuit filed by the law firm, Michael Pitt of Pitt, McGehee, Palmer, Bonanni, and Rivers.
Tanguay urged the Michigan Attorney General’s Office to investigate alleged fraud by the city’s fire chief and claims he intervened in a construction project spearheaded by a city council member, which he says violated city laws.
Gibraltar Mayor Garrett Shumate called the termination a “conspiracy” and “absolutely appalling,” according to the lawsuit. The decision was privately coordinated by four council members without the knowledge of him or two of their colleagues, the suit states.
Councilman Pat Valentine, surprised by his colleagues’ move, accused them of being “bullies, backstabbers, and those without honor or integrity,” and referred to their actions as “despicable and cowardly,” according to the lawsuit.
Tanguay joined Gibraltar’s force in July 2022 and earned the respect of police and fire personnel, as well as the broader community, the lawsuit states. His efforts to enhance department efficiency and transparency had drawn praise, but Tanguay now alleges that his investigations into fraud and corruption placed him in the crosshairs of council members who may have had personal stakes in protecting certain city employees.
“The citizens of this great City deserve better from their elected officials,” Tanguay said in a news release Friday. “Elected officials are expected to act with honor and integrity and in the best interest of the community. That hasn’t happened here.”
He added that the lawsuit is intended to protect “all past, current, and future employees of the City of Gibraltar” and to restore “trust and transparency.”
Tanguay’s attorney, Michael Pitt, emphasized that the chief acted in the city’s best interests by initiating investigations into corrupt practices.
“Chief Tanguay stood up for what was right and in the best interests of the City and for all the employees who are dedicated public servants,” Pitt said. “He was hired to clean up the Police and Fire Departments, to foster departments that are more efficient and responsive to the needs of residents. He did exactly what was asked of him by opening investigations into corruption and fraud, yet he now finds himself being punished for doing his job.”
The lawsuit alleges violations of Michigan’s Whistleblower Protection Act, claiming that Tanguay’s rights were violated by the council members seeking his removal.
The city has not yet issued a public statement in response to the lawsuit.
