Woman files lawsuit against former Charleston police chief

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — One of two women who accused the former Charleston police chief of misconduct has filed a lawsuit against him, the city and the police department.

In a lawsuit filed in Kanawha County Circuit Court, Jenny Harless alleges former Charleston Police Chief James “Tyke” Hunt sexually assaulted her in his office at City Hall.

The lawsuit also alleges Hunt attempted to cover up the incident and “abused his power and authority by fraudulently launching an FBI investigation” into Harless. The lawsuit claims the FBI and West Virginia State Police went to Harless’ home to intimidate her.

According to the lawsuit, city attorney Kevin Baker said the FBI did investigate Harless after Hunt’s wife complained that she was being harassed by her.

Harless wasn't arrested or charged with online harassment of Hunt's wife, but told Eyewitness News she thinks the chief improperly used his connections to intimidate her.

The pair met through LinkedIn and exchanged several conversations before the in-person meeting.

At a July 2023 city council meeting, Democrat Shannon Snodgrass called for an independent investigation by an outside agency into the matter.

In the wake of Snodgrass' speech, Baker released a memo to council members where he went through Harless' complaint and resulting investigation. Hunt contacted Eyewitness News and said he wanted to share a statement about what happened.

"I apologize for the hurt that my actions have caused to my family, my friends and colleagues and the citizens of Charleston," Hunt said in the statement. "And that I made a mistake and I'll own my actions. That I fully cooperated with the investigation as conducted by the human resources of the city of Charleston. And through that investigation I agreed that I misused city property for a personal matter. And through that I received a discipline of three days unpaid suspension back in June of last year. And that this was a lapse in personal judgment and I realize that I've got to work harder now more than ever to rebuild trust. And I'm very appreciative of Mayor Goodwin continuing to have faith in me to lead the Charleston Police Department."

Hunt did not specify what property he had misused.

Hunt resigned from his position as chief on Aug. 18, 2023, citing personal and medical reasons.

The complaint by Harless sparked an investigation into Hunt that ultimately led to his suspension and demotion.

Harless’ lawsuit alleges violations of due process, sexual assault, negligence, emotional distress, destroying evidence and retaliation. The lawsuit also demands a jury trial.

In late August 2023, a second woman, Chelsea McCoy, filed a complaint against the city alleging she was forced to have sex with Hunt, who was a sergeant at the time.

McCoy alleged that she felt forced to do what he suggested so she would pass a polygraph test, which he was in charge of administering, in 2018.