Seattle has agreed to pay $2.6 million to resolve a lawsuit brought by four female police officers who accused Seattle Police Department leaders of sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and retaliation.
The lawsuit, filed in 2024, named former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz, former Assistant Chief Dan Nelson, and current Lt. John O’Neil. The officers initially sought $5 million from the city.
The plaintiffs, Lauren Truscott, Valarie Carson, Kame Spencer, and Judinna “Jean” Gulpan, claimed they were subjected to harassment and discrimination while working for the department. The lawsuit also accused department leaders of creating a hostile work environment and retaliating against the women after they brought complaints.
Carson alleged that Diaz engaged in “predatory and discriminatory behavior” toward her. Her claim said Diaz regularly pulled her into long conversations at the end of her shifts and that the practice became known among members of his security detail because they could not leave while the conversations continued.
The filing also claimed Diaz made inappropriate comments about Carson’s dresses and high heels. Carson said she felt uncomfortable when Diaz asked her to drive alone with him on New Year’s Eve in 2020.
Spencer and Gulpan alleged that O’Neil, who supervised them at the time, sexually harassed them. Both officers later filed complaints against him. O’Neil had led the department’s public affairs unit, where Carson also worked, and was described in the lawsuit as one of Diaz’s trusted advisers.
The lawsuit claimed O’Neil made physical advances toward Spencer and touched her in ways that made her uncomfortable. Truscott also alleged that O’Neil had a history of harassing women and that his conduct was encouraged or enabled by Diaz.
Diaz denied the allegations through his attorney after the lawsuit was filed. His attorney, Ted Buck, said in 2024 that the accusations against the former chief were false.
The officers also alleged they faced retaliation after filing their claims. The lawsuit described meetings at several Seattle police precincts where Diaz and other members of the command staff allegedly told officers not to believe “lies” being spread by people who hated the department and to rely only on information from the chief’s office.
The city later entered mediation, leading to the settlement. The agreement doesn't include any admission of wrongdoing or liability.
The $2.6 million payment will be split evenly among the four plaintiffs.
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