Request Legal Help Now - Free

Advertisement
LAWSUITS NEWS & LEGAL INFORMATION

Officer Firing Upheld

Rocky Mountain, CO: (Mar-06-08) Michael Bethel, a former Pueblo, CO police officer, and his wife Tammy Bethel, brought a lawsuit against the city of Pueblo, alleging that Michael was fired because he and his wife have a "cuckold" relationship. In the federal lawsuit filed in 2007, Michael and Tammy Bethel said that Tammy Bethel is free to have sex with other people, as long as they are not married or minors and provided she tells her husband. Michael Bethel, however, is not allowed to have sex with others, although he sometimes joins his wife when she is with others.

Their suit claimed that when this arrangement became known to the Pueblo Police Department, it led to Michael Bethel's termination. City officials denied the allegation, saying Bethel's dismissal stemmed from his actions while on duty. Bethel was fired in 2006. Four days later, he was charged with witness tampering and official misconduct. Prosecutors said Bethel tried to persuade a man not to testify in a burglary case because he was afraid the evidence would include a videotape of his wife having sex with the man. A judge threw out one charge and a jury acquitted Bethel on the other charge.

As part of a settlement reached, Michael and Tammy Bethel will receive a $20,000 award from the city to resolve the lawsuit. The city denied any liability, agreeing to settle solely to avoid the costs of litigation. [ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS: 'CUCKOLD' COP GETS TERMINATED]


Legal Help

If you have a similar problem and would like to be contacted by a lawyer at no cost or obligation, please click the link below.
Published on Mar-8-08


ADD YOUR COMMENT ON THIS ISSUE

Please read our comment guidelines before posting.


Note: Your name will be published with your comment.


Your email will only be used if a response is needed.

Are you the defendant or a subject matter expert on this topic with an opposing viewpoint? We'd love to hear your comments here as well, or if you'd like to contact us for an interview please submit your details here.

Request Legal Help Now! - Free