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The $3 Million Claim: What Really Happened To Jamie Tompkins After Leaving FOX 13?

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The career of Emmy Award-winning journalist Jamie Tompkins took a dramatic and unexpected turn in recent years, pivoting from the familiar anchor desk at FOX 13 Seattle (KCPQ) to the high-stakes world of public relations and law enforcement. As of late 2024 and early 2025, the focus has shifted entirely from her nightly news reports to a high-profile, multi-million-dollar legal battle with the City of Seattle, alleging a scandalous "setup" and sexual harassment.

This article provides the most current, up-to-date information on the former Western Washington news anchor, detailing her comprehensive biography, her transition to the Seattle Police Department (SPD), and the explosive $3 million claim that has dominated headlines in the December 2025 news cycle. The story of Jamie Tompkins is no longer just a local news update; it has become a complex legal and political drama.

Jamie Tompkins: A Comprehensive Career and Personal Profile

Jamie Tompkins built a successful and respected career in broadcast journalism across the United States before becoming a fixture in the Seattle/Tacoma television market. Her work as an anchor and reporter earned her multiple accolades, including the prestigious Emmy Award.

  • Full Name: Jamie Tompkins
  • Occupation: Former News Anchor, Former Chief of Staff/Communications Director (SPD)
  • Education: Wagner College (Studied Musical Theatre & Speech)
  • Notable Career Stations:
    • FOX 13 Seattle (KCPQ/Q13 News): Co-Anchor for the 5 pm, 6 pm, 10 pm, and 11 pm newscasts.
    • KOMO 4 Seattle: Reporter and Anchor (Joined in 2011).
    • WATE 6 Knoxville: Reporter/Anchor (Early career).
  • Awards: Emmy Award-winning Journalist.
  • Personal Life: She is married to a director, whom she met and married in 2013 while working in Seattle.

The Shocking Career Pivot: From News Anchor to SPD Chief of Staff

The biggest shift in Tompkins' career came in 2023 when she announced her departure from the KCPQ anchor desk. She accepted a high-level public relations role as the Chief of Staff and Communications Director for the Seattle Police Department (SPD).

This transition was seen as a significant move, leveraging her extensive experience as a news professional to manage the public image and communications strategy for one of the region's largest law enforcement agencies. She began her tenure at the SPD in late May of that year.

However, her time at the SPD was short-lived and turbulent. By the end of 2024, she had resigned from the department, following a series of internal investigations and public controversies that would eventually lead to a massive legal claim against the city.

The $3 Million Claim: Allegations of Setup and Harassment

The most compelling and recent development in the Jamie Tompkins story is her legal claim against the City of Seattle. In late 2024, Tompkins, through her attorney, filed a $3 million demand letter. This claim alleges she was a victim of sexual harassment and that the scandal that led to her departure was a "setup" orchestrated by city officials.

The Core of the Allegations

Tompkins' claim is intricately linked to the firing of former SPD Chief Adrian Diaz by Mayor Bruce Harrell. Diaz, who was placed on administrative leave and eventually fired in 2024, is himself suing the city for retaliation.

The central public narrative that emerged involved an alleged affair between Tompkins and Diaz. Tompkins strongly denies the nature of the relationship and alleges that the rumors and subsequent investigation were part of a targeted campaign against both her and Chief Diaz.

The $3 million claim specifically seeks compensation for the pain and suffering she endured due to the alleged harassment, false rumors, and the circumstances surrounding her forced resignation in November 2024.

The "Setup" Narrative and Official Response

In interviews following her resignation, Tompkins publicly stated that she believed the scandal was a "setup." She described her 18 months at the SPD as a period of intense scrutiny and a toxic work environment.

The city's investigation into the matter and the subsequent actions against Chief Diaz and Tompkins have been highly controversial. Tompkins' successful application for unemployment benefits from the State Employment Security Department (ESD) further complicated the city's narrative, suggesting her separation from the SPD was not entirely voluntary or based on misconduct.

The legal claims by both Tompkins and Diaz have thrust the internal workings of the Seattle Police Department and the Mayor's office into the spotlight, raising serious questions about leadership, workplace conduct, and alleged political maneuvering at the highest levels of Seattle city government.

Topical Authority Entities & LSI Keywords

The evolving story of Jamie Tompkins is a convergence of several high-interest topics in the Pacific Northwest media and political landscape. The key entities and LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords relevant to this topic include:

  • Key Entities: Adrian Diaz, Mayor Bruce Harrell, Seattle Police Department (SPD), KCPQ-TV, KOMO News, Seattle City Council.
  • Associated Issues: Sexual harassment claims, workplace retaliation, political scandal, public relations crisis, news anchor career transition, Western Washington media, Tacoma television market, Seattle/Tacoma news anchors.

As the legal battle for the $3 million claim proceeds, the public will be watching closely to see how the City of Seattle responds to the allegations of a targeted "setup" against the former, respected FOX 13 anchor. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly shape the future of both Tompkins' career and the leadership structure of the Seattle Police Department.

jamie tompkins fox 13
jamie tompkins fox 13

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