Hour 2: Seattle police class action lawsuit proceeds, alleging years of poisoning at precinct

The John Curley Show delves into a major class action lawsuit against the Seattle Police Department, centered on Sergeant Dave Hockett's years-long fight against hazardous working conditions at the West Precinct. For over a decade, Hockett noticed recurring headaches and lightheadedness while doing paperwork in the underground garage, where police cars—equipped with electric systems requiring constant recharging—produced dangerous levels of carbon monoxide due to inadequate ventilation. Despite purchasing a high-end carbon monoxide detector, documenting the issue, and reporting it to command staff, the city failed to act. Hockett faced retaliation, including blocked transfers and a hostile work environment, which the jury later confirmed. The case culminated in a jury finding the city negligent, leading to a certified class action lawsuit involving over 200 officers. The episode highlights the city’s refusal to fix the garage—requiring only two industrial fans—despite clear evidence, including a damning smoke test that showed no air movement. The host and attorney Samir Singlet also discuss the broader implications of systemic neglect and the political resistance to accountability, while briefly touching on a separate, high-profile controversy involving Melania Trump’s press conference denying ties to Jeffrey Epstein, which the show frames as a strategic distraction amid new revelations in the Epstein files.