Retired BC Sues Charlotte Alleging Race Discrimination

A veteran Charlotte battalion chief who recently took a job in another community as fire chief, has filed suit against the City of Charlotte claiming he was the victim of race discrimination. Chief Willie Summers, a 30 year veteran who recently was appointed as the fire chief in Asheboro, claims he was passed over for promotion because he was black.

A copy of the complaint will be posted here as soon as it becomes available.

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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