Victim of Sexual Assault by Police Officer Files Lawsuit Against City of Helena, MT

Former Confidential Informant Files Sexual Assault Civil Lawsuit Against the City of Helena, County of Lewis & Clark And Former Police Officer Matt Thompson

Lawsuit Alleges that Authorities Were Negligent in their Oversight of Officer Matt Thompson Were Aware of Sexual Abuse of Confidential Informants

Helena, MT.   The Zalkin Law Firm, P.C. and The McKeon Doud Law Firm, P.C. announced the filing of a civil lawsuit on June 3, 2016, against the City of Helena, County of Lewis & Clark, and former Helena Police Department Officer Matt Thompson on behalf of a victim of sexual assault at the hands of Matt Thompson.  The victim, named in the lawsuit as S.H. in order to protect her identity, worked as a confidential informant for the Missouri River Drug Task Force (MRDTF).

It was through her work as a confidential informant that she came to know Officer Thompson.  The lawsuit claims that Officer Thompson forced S.H. to engage in repeated sexual acts while he was both on and off duty.  He threatened S.H. with criminal charges and told her that her kids would be taken away if she did not comply.  He became increasingly physically abusive of S.H. as time progressed.

The lawsuit additionally alleges that the City and County knew of Officer Thompson’s dangerous and exploitive propensities and failed to use reasonable care in investigating and retaining him as an officer.  Once confronted with evidence that he could not refute, Officer Thompson admitted to having sexual relations with multiple confidential informants, including S.H.  Officer Thompson was allowed to resign from his position.  No formal complaint was submitted to revoke Officer Thompson’s POST certificates, nor were any criminal charges pursued against him.

Four causes of action against the defendants are detailed in the civil complaint--Montana Constitution Article 2, § 17, Violation of Substance Due Process, Negligence, Negligent Supervision/Failure to Warn, and Negligent Hiring/Retention.  The complaint asks for monetary compensation for physical and emotional damages, and past and future medical expenses for therapy and counseling.

Click this link for a copy of the civil complaint.