Missouri Fire District Settles Reverse Discrimination Suit for $250k

Posted by: Curt Varone September 4, 2022 0

A reverse discrimination lawsuit filed twelve years ago against a Missouri fire district has been settled for $250,000. Harold W. Conner filed suit in 2010 against the Northeast Ambulance and Fire Protection District claiming he was threatened with discipline and forced to retire in 2008 because of his race. Conner is white.

Besides reverse discrimination, the suit alleged retaliation, breach of contract, and failure to pay for accrued sick and vacation time. The suit was filed in St. Louis County Circuit Court. In September 2017 a jury awarded Conner more than $400,000. That verdict was set aside and a new trial ordered.

The district and Conner agreed upon the $250,000 settlement last June and the case was dismissed on August 11, 2022. However, word of the settlement was only made public after the St. Louis Post Dispatch filed a public records request.

Here is 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.
© Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved. | FireLawBlog.com & Curt Varone | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
x

Check Also

New Hampshire Firefighter Claims He Was Sexually Harassed

A New Hampshire firefighter who resigned last December after enduring what he claims was years of sexually harassing comments and retaliation is now suing his former employer. Christopher R. Golomb filed suit against the City of Concord last month in Merrimack County Superior Court.

Sacramento Settles Restraint Death Suit for $4.45 Million

The City of Sacramento has agreed to settle a wrongful death suit with the family of a man who died while being restrained during an EMS response, for $4.45 million. Reginald “Reggie” Payne, 48, suffered a cardic arrest while being restrained by police, who responded at the request of firefighters.