Former Mt. Washington police chief sues city over wrongful termination

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A former police chief is suing the city of Mt. Washington after he says he was wrongfully terminated.

A year ago, Marcus Laytham was serving as the police chief for Mt. Washington Police Department. But on June 25, 2024, Laytham was notified "of his removal as police chief and as a member of the Mt. Washington Police Department effective June 30, 2024" by Mayor Stuart Owen.

Now Laytham is suing the city and claiming he was wrongfully terminated.

"He planned to work for the city of Mount Washington, hopefully for a long time, and that didn't happen," said attorney Brad Zoppoth, who is representing Laytham.

The lawsuit filed on his behalf claims he was fired out of retaliation.

"He wants his side of the story to be told and for justice ultimately to be served," Zoppoth said.

MT. WASHINGTON POLICE CHIEF MARCUS LAYTHAM.jpeg — Mt. Washington Police Chief Marcus Laytham. (WDRB File Image)

Zoppoth said the city retaliated for two reasons. One being that Laytham had made several complaints to the city about himself and other officers not being paid the appropriate amounts as lined out in the city ordinance.

"He was retaliated against for standing up for things that he believed was right and legal," Zoppoth said.

The other reason given for his wrongful terminated was that Laytham did not outwardly oppose the department's efforts to unionize, which Owen instructed him to oppose.

The lawsuit claims Laytham was micromanaged by Owen and the command staff was instructed to work weekends.

"He refused to suppress unionization efforts, which is a Kentucky statute that you are not permitted to suppress or oppose unionization efforts of employees," Zoppoth said.

Owen declined to comment on the allegations. He said the city doesn't comment on pending litigation.

"Chief Laytham wanted his voice to be heard. He's been wronged," Zoppoth said.

The lawsuit is seeking lost wages and the possibility of Laytham being reinstated as chief.

The Mayor previously said Laytham was fired for not investigating a case. Attorney's representing a Mt. Washington family said that case, had to do with their autistic son being mistreated by a police officer without their knowledge.

The complaint addresses an investigation where Mayor Owen hired a third-party investigator, David Beyer, and instructed Laytham to cooperate. It then goes on to show how Laytham cooperated.

The complaint reads, "Mayor Owen has publicly and baselessly issued statements asserting that Laytham’s termination was due to a “lack of interest” involving the investigation by Beyer and the follow-up investigation by the MWPD."

The Mount Washington FOP also declined to comment on the allegations.

Laytham was appointed as chief in Mt. Washington in early 2023. He previously worked at the Louisville Metro Police Department and the Bullitt County Sheriff's Office.

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