Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Jon Collins and Peter Cox
St. Paul

Minneapolis police lieutenant says Hodges labeled him racist

Mayor Hodges at a July 2017 press conference.
Minneapolis Mayor Besty Hodges at a July 2017 press conference.
Maria Alejandra Cardona | MPR News file

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Lt. John Delmonico
Lt. John Delmonico
Courtesy of City of Minneapolis

A Minneapolis police lieutenant who was blocked for a promotion is suing the city of Minneapolis and Mayor Betsy Hodges for defamation over text messages exchanged between the mayor and police chief.

The lawsuit filed Thursday stems from comments Hodges made in messages with then-Chief Janee Harteau after the chief announced in April that she was appointing Lt. John Delmonico to head the Fourth Precinct in north Minneapolis.

The lawsuit alleges that Hodges referred to Delmonico as untrustworthy and accused him of being a racist. Delmonico's lawyers argue that Hodges' comments "harmed Delmonico's reputation and lowered him in the estimation of his profession and the community."

Delmonico's lawsuit alleges that Hodges wanted to hurt Delmonico because of disputes with him while he served as president of the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis.

The text messages made public after a data practices request showed Hodges grilling Harteau on why Delmonico was chosen for the position. Hodges told Harteau that the "progressive community remembers he's the one who commented on pointergate," referring to a KSTP report where Delmonico questioned whether Hodges was going to support gangs or cops.

Hodges also warned Harteau that people "remember lots of racist stuff [Delmonico] has done."

The mayor, who is running again in November, released a statement Friday calling the lawsuit "patently baseless" and said it was "obviously intended to influence the election."

"I will continue to make tough decisions in order to do what is right to build public safety and community trust for all our residents," Hodges said. "Leadership requires making choices and standing by them: I stand by mine."

Harteau, who resigned in July after a woman was fatally shot by police in Minneapolis, tweeted that she wasn't surprised by the lawsuit.

"I do think he was mischaracterized," she said in an interview with MPR News, regarding Hodges comments that Delmonico had done racist things. "I think [the texts] were unwarranted."

The lawsuit is asking for damages in excess of $50,000. Delmonico's attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.