Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
Kansas City, Missouri has agreed to settle the third of three reverse discrimination suits related to the 2022 promotion of a black captain to deputy chief. The suits were brought by three white battalion chiefs who claim they were wrongfully passed over on account of their race.
Retired BC Daniel McGrath agreed to accept an $850,000 payment to dismiss his suit that he was bypassed by a less qualified and lower ranked captain. Similar suits by BC Mark Little and BC Christopher McDaniel were settled earlier this year for $350,000 each.
The three suits followed the ascension of former Fire Chief Donna Lake to lead the organization amidst a mandate to address discrimination, and increase the hiring and promotion of women and blacks. According to the Kansas City Star, Chief Lake told a subordinate that “the days of the Fire Department being ran by older white men are over.” She in turn made the promotion that sparked the three suits. She retired in January, 2023.
The Kansas City Star pointed to a number of other employment-related settlements the city has made with firefighters recently, including a $1.3 million settlement we covered recently [ Kansas City Settles YCMTSU Harassment Suits for $1.3 Million ] and an $800,000 settlement in 2023.
