SALT LAKE CITY — An attorney for Provo says the city did nothing wrong when hiring and then firing its former police chief amid sexual assault claims.
Heather White says Provo thoroughly investigated ex-Police Chief John King and properly investigated him when three women accused him of sexual misconduct and assault.
“This is entirely inconsistent with the culture of fear and retaliation the plaintiffs try to present,” said White, a partner with Snow Christensen & Martineau in Salt Lake City.
White wants a federal judge to dismiss their claims.
King quit when asked last year, after a third woman accused him of sexual assault. He said the relationship was consensual.
White, who does not legally represent King, says an outside firm looked into King’s past.
“They provided no information that Mr. King had been forced to resign from two prior positions for misconduct, as has been alleged,” White said.
King had similar allegations in Maryland, before he came to Provo.
Citygate Associates, which did King’s background check, had no comment.