Columbus Battalion Chief Loses Race Discrimination Suit

Posted by: Curt Varone April 17, 2011 1 Comment

A battalion chief in the Columbus Fire Department has lost her race discrimination lawsuit against the city.

BC Yolanda Arnold filed suit in US District Court in January, 2008 after her leadership of the fire prevention division was subject to several investigations. The investigations were prompted by reports that inspectors were not doing inspections and collecting overtime.

Two separate investigations found no wrongdoing, but Chief Arnold was disciplined for lying to investigators, suspended for one week, and transferred out of fire prevention. The situation prompted 10 Columbus firefighters who had served as fire inspectors to file a total of three lawsuits alleging race discrimination.

Judge Michael H. Watson ruled against Chief Arnold’s claims of race discrimination and retaliation, finding she lacked proof to support her allegations. Judge Watson also dismissed two of the three companion cases brought by the fire inspectors.

Arnold and her attorney vowed to appeal the ruling.

Here is a copy of the ruling.  Arnold_v_Columbus

More on the story.

Motion to amend complaint.

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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