A police force in central Utah has agreed to pay $80,000 to a former state representative who complained he was passed over for the chief’s job because of religion.
Carl Wimmer and the Gunnison Valley Police Department signed the settlement in June. FOX 13 News obtained a copy last week. In the settlement, Gunnison Valley did not admit to any discrimination.
“In reaching the agreement, both parties agreed to a finding of no fault for either party,” Gunnison Valley police said in a statement to FOX 13 News. “GVPD categorically and unequivocally denies it violated any of Wimmer’s rights by selecting another candidate for the open police chief position. After much debate and discussion, GVPD made the decision to resolve its case with Wimmer in effort to save taxpayer funds which would be expended in lengthy litigation proceedings.”
Under the agreement, Wimmer cannot discuss the settlement itself. But in an interview last week with FOX 13 News, he maintained he was discriminated against.
“The fact is, is that religious discrimination happens in Utah,” he said.
In 2013, The Salt Lake Tribune chronicled Wimmer’s exit from the state’s predominant faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and became an evangelical Christian.
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