Deputy Chief Sues Baltimore City For Race Discrimination

Posted by: Curt Varone December 17, 2011 0

A deputy chief in the Baltimore City Fire Department has filed suit against the department, the fire chief, an assistant chief, a deputy mayor,  and the mayor and city council of Baltimore alleging race discrimination.

Deputy Chief Lloyd Carter filed suit on December 12, 2011, alleging he was wrongfully passed over for promotion because he is African American. He also claims that he has been subjected to harassing, embarrassing and humiliating work conditions, and retaliation based upon his race.

Named as defendants in the suit are Fire Chief James Clack, Assistant Chief Donald Heinbuch, Deputy Mayor Chris Thomaskutty, along with the Baltimore City Fire Department and the mayor and City Council. The suit was filed in Federal District Court and seeks $3 million in damages.

Chief Carter has been in charge of recruiting for Baltimore City FD since last July. The suit alleges he has been subjected to a series of unsubstantiated accusations and investigations that have damaged his good name. While not named as a defendant, IAFF Local 984 President Stephen Fugate, stands accused of filing some of the complaints against Chief Carter. IAFF Local 984 is the officers union.

Here is a copy of the complaint. Carter v Baltimore City Fire

More on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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