Ex-officer, Whitefish settle suit over firing

The city of Whitefish has reached a settlement with a former Whitefish police officer who sued after being fired from the department.

Whitefish Police Chief Bill Dial confirmed the settlement Monday afternoon. The deal was reached that morning, though it wasn’t yet official.

“Until that agreement is signed, we’re not able to make any comments on it,” Dial said.

Jeffrey R. Folsom, the former officer, filed the lawsuit last August. He sought more than $785,000 in back pay and lost benefits, as well as other punitive damages, from the city and a co-defendant, the Montana Public Employees Association.

Folsom claimed that the city lacked just cause when he was fired in 2013. He also sued his union, the Employees Association, claiming that it unfairly represented him in the alleged breach of a collective bargaining agreement.

Folsom believed that he was fired in retaliation for his attempt to seek legal advice, according to the complaint. He alleged that fellow officers violated laws and rights for things such as recording officers’ conversations throughout the department.

The department denied those allegations. Dial said that multiple state agencies looked into those claims and deemed them unfounded.

Among the claims against the union, Folsom claimed that it acted with “deceitful” and even fraudulent conduct in handling his grievances against the police department.

In its own written response, the association denied the claims of misrepresentation but also alleged that the city of Whitefish did not have just cause in firing Folsom.

Dial said the city’s settlement did not involve a monetary payout. He added that he feels that both sides are satisfied with the deal.

Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.