Jamie Tompkins, a former television personality who transitioned to a police department role, has found herself at the center of a controversy involving alleged intimate relations with her superior.

According to Daily Mail, the ex-Fox 13 news anchor is suing the city of Seattle for $3 million, claiming officials failed to properly address gossip about a purported relationship between her and Seattle Police Department Chief Adrian Diaz.

Tompkins alleges she experienced significant emotional distress due to workplace rumors. Both she and Diaz have consistently denied any romantic involvement, with Diaz later publicly coming out as gay following the allegations.

Serious allegations emerge amid workplace tension

The lawsuit stems from rumors that began circulating after Tompkins left her position as a Fox 13 anchor to work for Diaz at the Seattle Police Department. These whispers quickly escalated, creating what Tompkins describes as a hostile work environment.

In a demand letter obtained by local media, Tompkins' attorney Michael Submit wrote that the rumors caused profound psychological harm. The letter detailed how Tompkins struggled professionally when "a significant proportion of the SPD workforce believed she had received her position because of her physical appearance and sexual favoritism."

The situation allegedly worsened when Tompkins learned that colleagues were actively spreading rumors about her. According to reports, former colleague Durand Dace admitted to circulating the gossip and was subsequently fired for his conduct. Another co-worker, officer Valerie Carson, was found by the Office of Police Accountability to have not only spread rumors but also illegally surveilled Tompkins' apartment.

High-ranking officials implicated in scandal

Tompkins' allegations extend beyond colleague gossip to include improper conduct by senior city officials. One particularly disturbing claim involves Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell.

According to Tompkins' demand letter, Harrell allegedly told Diaz that sleeping with Tompkins was acceptable because he himself would have been happy to "do" the former television personality. This accusation represents one of several instances where Tompkins claims city leadership failed to maintain professional standards.

The situation escalated further when Diaz faced multiple sexual harassment claims from other women. This prompted an outside investigation by The Office of Inspector General, which ultimately concluded that Diaz had indeed engaged in "an intimate or romantic relationship" with Tompkins at the time of her hiring—a relationship he allegedly failed to disclose as required.

Employment fallout affects both parties

By late October 2023, both Tompkins and Diaz were placed on administrative leave while investigations continued. The professional repercussions came swiftly thereafter.

Tompkins resigned from her position in November 2023, while Diaz was terminated the following month after 27 years with the police department. Diaz has expressed feeling "blindsided" by the decision and continued to deny any inappropriate relationship with Tompkins.

In a surprising development, Diaz later came out as gay during an interview with KTTH radio. He claimed the controversy had forced him to reveal his sexual orientation publicly, something he hadn't planned to do under these circumstances.

Legal battles unfold on multiple fronts

The situation has now evolved into competing legal claims with both Tompkins and Diaz pursuing separate lawsuits against the city. Tompkins' attorney emphasized the severe emotional impact of the situation on his client:

Words cannot describe the anguish and humiliation Tompkins experienced. Tompkins felt and still feels violated, degraded, and dehumanized. Tompkins is not the same person she was when she began employment with the City 18 months ago.

Diaz has countered with his own $10 million lawsuit against Mayor Harrell and other city officials. His legal claim alleges discrimination based on sexual orientation and wrongful termination, arguing that "the city wrongfully discharged and discriminated, harassed and retaliated against former Chief Diaz when he expressed his sexual orientation to Mayor Harrell and Deputy Mayor Burgess, and refused to commit an illegal act."

Both parties dispute the findings of the Office of Inspector General investigation. Tompkins specifically claims she was never interviewed as part of the probe that concluded she had been romantically involved with Diaz.

Media figure seeks justice amid lasting damage

Jamie Tompkins' lawsuit represents the latest development in a complex workplace scandal involving Seattle's police leadership. The former news anchor claims city officials failed in their responsibility to maintain a professional environment free from harassment and inappropriate behavior.

The $3 million lawsuit cites lasting emotional damage Tompkins allegedly suffered after leaving her television career for a position with the Seattle Police Department. Despite both parties' continued denials of any romantic involvement, the Office of Inspector General concluded otherwise, creating a conflicting narrative that now awaits resolution in court.

Meanwhile, former Police Chief Adrian Diaz has launched his own legal battle, claiming discrimination and wrongful termination after 27 years of service. Both cases highlight questions about workplace culture and oversight within Seattle's municipal government as the judicial process moves forward.