A Middlesex Superior Court jury has awarded former Sherborn Police Chief Richard Thompson $1.2 million after determining that former Town Administrator David Williams intentionally and maliciously interfered with Thompson's employment contract, leading to his termination. Thompson served as Sherborn's police chief from 2009 until his termination in 2020.
The verdict stems from Thompson's 2020 dismissal by the Sherborn Select Board, which cited allegations of harassment, abuse of power and creating a climate of fear within the Police Department. Thompson's contract was scheduled to remain in effect through June 2022.
Following his termination, Thompson filed a lawsuit against the Town of Sherborn, Williams and Lt. David Bento, who became acting police chief after Thompson was placed on administrative leave. After a three-week trial, the jury found Williams liable for interfering with Thompson's contractual relationship with the town but cleared both the town and Bento of any wrongdoing.
The June 17 award included $200,000 in back pay, $500,000 for future lost earnings, $50,000 for reputational damage and the remaining amount in interest.
Through his attorney, Joseph Sulman, Thompson said the verdict brought a sense of vindication after six years of legal proceedings. He maintained that Williams acted with malice in bringing about his dismissal after more than a decade of service as Sherborn's police chief.
According to the lawsuit, Thompson alleged that Williams and Bento worked together to have him removed by encouraging a female officer to file complaints against him. The lawsuit also claimed tensions arose after Thompson questioned a former Select Board member about a potential conflict of interest and filed an Open Meeting Law complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office. Thompson further alleged Bento was unhappy after Thompson asked Bento's son to resign as a special police officer and did not include Bento in the department's succession plan.
Sulman said Thompson has been unable to obtain another law enforcement position because of the allegations surrounding his dismissal. He described Thompson as a dedicated public servant whose career was prematurely ended by the actions of town officials and said the jury's verdict recognized that injustice.
Attorneys representing Williams, Bento and the Town of Sherborn said they were pleased the jury found neither the town nor Bento liable. They disagreed with the verdict against Williams and said they are considering post-trial legal options.
