Golden Valley settles Nadeau lawsuit

When Golden Valley was seeking a new police chief, Scott Nadeau was temporarily hired as interim chief. Then he applied to hold the position permanently. The city decided to hire Virgil Green as its police chief instead.

Nadeau, a white man, believed the decision to hire Green, a Black man, was based on race. Last year, Nadeau filed a lawsuit against the city of Golden Valley as well as a few individuals whom Nadeau held responsible for the decision including Mayor Shep Harris, City Manager Tim Cruikshank, and Jessie Smith from the PEACE Commission.

Lawyer Susan Tindal, who is representing the city on this matter released this statement:

“The League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust paid and settled on behalf of the City of Golden Valley a lawsuit brought by Scott Nadeau. The settlement was for $97,500 to Mr. Nadeau and $65,000 to his attorney. The City admits no wrongdoing or liability and all claims against the individual defendants were separately and voluntarily dismissed. This settlement takes into consideration the costs of proceeding with the lawsuit and the opportunity to bring finality to this matter.”

Lawyer Joseph A. Kelly, representing Nadeau, released this statement:

“Chief Nadeau has spent his entire adult life serving his community. He prided himself on community oriented policing and received numerous awards and national recognition for recruiting, training, and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities in law enforcement. Chief Nadeau built trust both internally and externally in every agency he commanded. In Golden Valley, he had broad support among the police department and, in his short time as interim chief, was able to build and repair relationships that were harmed as a result of the acts of law enforcement officers outside of Golden Valley. Racism in any form has no place in our community. In turbulent times like today, the men and women in law enforcement need strong leaders and supporters rather than those who diminish the sacrifices that our officers and their families make on a daily basis.

“This lawsuit was filed in direct response to the unlawful actions taken by Officials with the City of Golden Valley. It is my hope that the City of Golden Valley learns from this and makes the City a desirable place for qualified law enforcement officers.”