SHERBORN, Massachusetts -- A Middlesex Superior Court jury has awarded former Sherborn Police Chief Richard Thompson $1.2 million in a wrongful termination lawsuit against former Town Administrator David Williams, concluding a legal dispute that stemmed from Thompson’s 2020 dismissal.

The jury found that Williams intentionally interfered with Thompson’s employment contract and maliciously induced the Town of Sherborn to breach that agreement. The verdict followed a three-week trial and resulted in a June 17 award totaling $1.2 million, according to MetroWest Daily News.

Thompson was terminated by the Sherborn Select Board in October 2020 after officials alleged he had abused his authority, harassed employees and created a climate of fear within the Police Department. Following his termination, Thompson filed suit against Williams, acting Police Chief David Bento and the Select Board.

Jurors found Williams liable but cleared Bento and the Town of Sherborn of wrongdoing.

“After six years of what has been an incredibly stressful and challenging time for my family and me, I have been vindicated by fourteen Jurors who listened to three weeks of evidence and testimony,” Thompson said in a statement provided by his attorney, Joseph Sulman. “I am grateful that the jurors recognized that the town's agent, former Town Administrator David Williams, intentionally and with malice violated my rights and used a female Officer as a ‘pawn’ to terminate me after serving the town for eleven years of my professional career.”

According to the lawsuit, Williams and Bento conspired to remove Thompson from his position by using a female officer’s complaint as a means to facilitate his termination. The lawsuit also alleged Bento was dissatisfied after Thompson requested that Bento’s son resign as a special police officer and excluded Bento from the department’s succession planning process.

The dispute between Thompson and town officials reportedly began after Thompson questioned a former Select Board member about a potential conflict of interest and filed an Open Meeting Law complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.

Thompson served as Sherborn’s police chief beginning in 2009 after spending a decade with the Framingham Police Department. His employment contract was scheduled to expire in June 2022.

The jury returned its verdict on June 4, finding that Williams knowingly induced the town to breach Thompson’s contract and acted with malice.

The damages award includes $200,000 in back pay, $500,000 for future earnings, $50,000 for reputational harm and the remainder in interest.

Sulman said Thompson has worked for a family business since his termination because he was unable to secure employment in law enforcement due to the allegations that led to his dismissal.

“Richard Thompson worked tirelessly for years as a dedicated public servant committed to serving the citizens of Sherborn and whose career was unfortunately cut short by the actions of certain public officials,” Sulman said in a statement. “I am grateful to the hard work of the jury for returning a verdict that recognizes this wrong and to Mr. Thompson for his patience and dedication through this difficult time.”

Tom DiGani, an attorney representing Williams, Bento and the town, said the defense team intends to challenge the verdict against Williams.

"We are pleased with the jury's verdicts in favor of the Town of Sherborn and Lieutenant David Bento," DiGani said in a statement. "We respectfully disagree with the decision as to David Williams and are exploring all post-trial options at this time."