Former Mesquite police chief files lawsuit against city for wrongful termination, breach of contract
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The former Mesquite police chief filed a lawsuit against the City of Mesquite claiming wrongful termination and breach of contract following an internal investigation.
Former Chief MaQuade Chesley was terminated on Jan. 21 after he was the target of a police union no-confidence vote in November 2024, which was presented to the Mesquite City Council.
In November 2024, Del Schlosser, the Mesquite Police Union president, explained why the police union reached their no-confidence vote saying Chesley at times had been retaliatory toward people 'because of comments that they made or that things that they've brought forward.' He added, 'There has been some hiring that is believed to be close friends, based on his own comments that they were, it's the perception that it was rushed through, if you will, in the hiring processes.'
Mesquite police chief fired following internal investigation
Chesley filed the lawsuit on Feb. 3 claiming the city deprived him of any and all procedural protection by terminating him without notice or a hearing and failed to implement safeguards to ensure that Chesley's due process rights were protected.
The lawsuit claims that the city violated NRS 289.057 by using a non-law enforcement agency during the investigations into Chesley's alleged misconduct and that the violation was made in 'bad faith.' It also claims that his termination was done at least in part due to the city's 'questionable, discriminatory and retaliatory employment practices.'
Chesley's lawsuit says that the city ignored the terms of his contract by terminating him without just cause since he was not an at-will employee. Chesley was not given a pre-termination hearing nor a post-termination hearing and was not given a 'reasonable opportunity to be heard at a meaningful time and in a meaningful manner,' the lawsuit claims.
Nevada union votes no confidence in police chief
Chesley previously responded to an 8 News Now request for statement regarding the vote and wrote he had made two attempts to meet with the union president to arrange a labor management meeting.
'I take concerns raised by my officers seriously and remain committed to open dialogue to address issues and maintain a productive working environment,' Chesley wrote.
Chesley is asking for an award of compensatory damages to be proven at trial, attorney's fees, witness fees, other costs, interest on all damages awarded and for any additional or further relief as may be just and proper, according to the lawsuit.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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