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Almost four years after filing a civil suit against former Lafayette Police Chief Randy Hundley and the department, Jeanette Luque was awarded $23,000 in a settlement.
Luque, Hundley's former secretary, filed the lawsuit in September 2006, just months after Hundley and three other police officers were indicted on charges of illegally recording conversations in her office.
While the criminal trial against Hundley ended in June 2008 with a plea bargain, in which he pleaded guilty to attempted malfeasance in office, the city is now paying for his alleged wiretapping of Luque's desk.
"It was never about the money," said Jill Craft, Luque's attorney. "It was about exposing things that should have never even happened. She did nothing more than to stand up for what was right."
In August 2004, a state police investigation found that a wireless microphone was planted in her office. For about 30 to 45 days, the microphone remained in Luque's office but investigators said there was nothing of value on the tapes as it had only recorded background noise.
Craft said the main issue was to ensure that everyone has a right to privacy, even in the workplace.
"And for the police to install listening devices without their consent violated the law," she said.
Hundley's co-defendants in the criminal case — Shannon Hundley, Brian Butler and Michael Lavergne — had their charges dropped after testifying against Hundley saying Hundley had given them orders to place the microphones.
Hundley resigned as the police chief in June 2006 after 30 years working for the department.
"I think (Luque) is first and foremost relieved," Craft said. "Secondly, I am extraordinarily proud of her for standing up for herself, as should everyone else be."
Luque continues to work for Lafayette police.
J.J. Alcantara • jalcantara@theadvertiser.com • July 30, 2010 |