Former NIU Police Chief’s Lawsuit Settled for $1M

The former chief argued he was retaliated against and that his due process rights were violated.

Northern Illinois University announced it will settle the lawsuit brought by former police chief Donald Grady for $1 million after an agreement was made Thursday.

Under the agreement, Grady will receive $450,000 and his lawyer will receive $575,000. Grady will also be allowed to say he retired “in good standing,” according to the Chicago Tribune.

Grady, who’d been with NIU since 2001, was fired in 2013 for what the school characterized as misconduct when he allegedly withheld information that could have cleared a campus police officer in a student rape case.

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The 63-year-old former chief sued the school in 2014 in response to his termination, alleging that he was the victim of retaliation, racial discrimination and that his due process rights were violated.

Grady had a salary of $206,000 at the time of his firing and his annual pension is approximately $90,300.

The campus police officer involved in the high profile rape case was found not guilty of all charges Thursday. The university accused Grady of neglecting to present evidence that could have cleared the officer.

“University officials and Dr. Grady have determined that it is in their best interests to move past their differences,” NIU said in a statement.

Under the agreement neither the university nor Grady can comment on the settlement beyond the school’s statement.

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