City of Gibraltar Police Chief Richard Tanguay Files Wrongful Termination Lawsuit Against City
WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN - The City of Gibraltar’s Chief of Police, Richard Tanguay, filed a lawsuit on October 23, 2024, in Wayne County Circuit Court challenging his termination, which is scheduled to take place on October 31. The wrongful termination lawsuit was filed on his behalf by attorney Michael Pitt of Pitt, McGehee, Palmer, Bonanni, and Rivers.
As stated in the complaint, Chief Tanguay was notified of his termination after he "blew the whistle" on corrupt and fraudulent pay practices within the City's Fire Department. He had requested Michigan's Attorney General to investigate allegations of fraud by the Fire Chief and also attempted to stop an illegal construction project initiated by a City Councilman.
On October 14, 2024, four members of the City Council voted to remove Chief Tanguay as the City’s Police Chief and Director of Public Safety. Chief Tanguay, who was hired in July 2022, was universally recognized by the police and fire personnel he supervised, as well as many citizens, as the best Chief in the history of Gibraltar. The four Council Members who voted to oust him lacked legitimate reason to take this action and may have been personally impacted by the Chief’s investigations or concerned about protecting City employees who were the targets of his inquiries.
The four Council Members did not inform the Chief, the Mayor, the other two Council Members, or the public that they intended to seek the Chief’s removal, opting instead for a sudden but coordinated motion at the October 14th meeting. In the aftermath of the vote that removed Chief Tanguay from his position, the Mayor accused the four council members of a “conspiracy” and described their behavior as “absolutely appalling.”
Councilman Pat Valentine, who was blindsided by his fellow Council Members, referred to his colleagues as “bullies, backstabbers and those without honor or integrity.” He called out their behavior as “despicable and cowardly.” Upon resigning (although later rescinding his resignation). Councilman Valentine said “dirty, underhanded politics has come to Gibraltar.”
“The citizens of this great City deserve better from their elected officials,” said Chief Tanguay in a recent interview discussing his termination. The Chief also stated that “elected officials are expected to act with honor and integrity and in the best interest of the community. That hasn’t happened here.”
Chief Tanguay completed his remarks by stating, “To the employees and citizens of Gibraltar, it has been an absolute honor and pleasure working with and serving all of you in this amazing community. Based on the actions of the four elected officials who have conducted themselves dishonorably, we have filed this lawsuit to protect all past, current and future employees of the City of Gibraltar and to preserve and restore the trust and transparency of our great community.”
“Chief Tanguay stood up for what was right and in the best interests for the City and for all the employees who are dedicated public servants,” said attorney Michael Pitt, who is representing Chief Tanguay in his lawsuit. “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 he was asked of him by opening investigations into corruption and fraud, yet he now finds himself being punished for doing his job. Chief Tanguay, like all citizens of our state, is protected by Michigan’s Whistleblower Protection Act, yet his rights were trampled upon by the four unscrupulous Council Members who had a personal interest in getting him out of the way.”
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