Gay cop’s lawsuit dismissed

A lawsuit brought by a gay policeman against the Seattle police department alleging that he was harassed and made to leave the force was dismissed by a federal judge Monday. U.S. district judge John Coughenour threw out the suit brought by Dan Mathewson after listening to two weeks of testimony, saying, “I simply cannot conclude that there is credible evidence.” Mathewson was forced out and not rehired because of his sexual orientation, Coughenour said. Former police chief Norm Stamper testified Monday, before the suit was dismissed, that he had worked to improve the atmosphere for gay officers and marched in uniform in the city’s gay pride parade. Stamper said he was concerned about reports that Mathewson was “rude, officious, and heavy-handed” and that he “hassled” street youth. Stamper also said he was concerned about the potential appearance of impropriety when Mathewson and a partner opened a coffee cart on Mathewson’s beat.