Mar 21, 2008 8:45 am US/Eastern
Kevin Clark Talks To WJZ About Firing And Lawsuit
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) ―
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Maryland's highest court has ruled in favor of former Baltimore police commissioner Kevin Clark, who has been seeking reinstatement to his job since he was fired by then-Mayor Martin O'Malley in November 2004.
CBS
Baltimore's former police commissioner Kevin Clark will have his day in court, four years after being fired.
Mary Bubala reports Clark learned Thursday that his $120 million lawsuit against the city of Baltimore will go forward.
Clark calls the ruling vindication and says he'll continue fighting to get his old job back.
Hours after Maryland's highest court ruled Clark was illegally fired, he spoke exclusively to
Eyewitness News.
"In some ways, it's a small vindication for me, but it still leaves a lot of deep scars," said Clark.
Clark recalls the embarrassment and humiliation he felt when Swat team officers stormed his downtown office and raided his files.
"To have actually been just thrown under the wheels of a bus and similarly taken out by a Swat team is something that's very hard to put behind you," said Clark.
Then Mayor Martin O'Malley, who recruited Clark to be the city's top-cop, fired him after just 21 months on the job following allegations of domestic abuse.
An independent investigation later cleared Clark of any wrongdoing.
"I went to court to get that job back. It's a great job. I intend to pursue the job, and I hope this matter is put to rest," said Clark.
In the 25-page decision, the Court of Appeals ruled that the mayor can hire and fire the commissioner but not without notice.
"He is, in my opinion, the legal police commissioner of Baltimore City," said Clark's attorney Dwight Pettit.
The case now goes to circuit court for a jury to decide what damages Clark will get. They're asking for $120 million, which the city would have to fork out.
"I'm sorry that apparently we're going to have to pay out some money. We really can't afford two police commissioners at the time," said City Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke.
Governor O'Malley issued a written statement saying the mayor should have the right to hire and fire a police commissioner at will, and he'll support any efforts to change the law.
Clark will hold a news conference in Baltimore Friday.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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