Dennis Rubin Now 12-0

Posted by: Curt Varone August 27, 2013 0

The city of Atlanta has released a press release proclaiming victory in the case Russell Martin, et al. vs. City of Atlanta and Dennis Rubin. The press release issued today reports that a federal court jury ruled in favor of the city on allegations that 28 firefighters were passed over for promotion on racial grounds.

According to the press release “The plaintiffs made claims that they were passed over for appointments to Battalion and Section Chief positions by former Fire Chief Dennis Rubin. Rubin testified that the sole consideration in all appointments was putting the best man or woman in the job. The jury rejected the plaintiffs' contention that the City had a policy of "racial balancing" that took precedence over qualifications.”

According to my count Chief Rubin is now 12-0 in cases that have gone to a judge or jury for determination.

Here is a link to the press release. Additional details are not available.

This just in: The official judgment: MARTIN – Judgment

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

KCMO Challenges Arbitration Award in Triple Fatal Crash

The City of Kansas City is appealing an arbitration decision that reduced the disciplinary penalty for the firefighter responsible for the 2021 triple-fatal apparatus crash to a three-day suspension without pay. Dominic Biscari was driving Kansas City’s Pumper 19, when it ran a red light, collided with an SUV, struck several parked cars, came to rest in a building, and in the process killed three people.

NJ Court Upholds Officers Being in Same Bargaining Unit as Firefighters

The Appellate Division of New Jersey Superior Court has upheld a ruling of the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission concluding that lieutenants can be included with firefighters in a collective bargaining unit. The case involved a challenge brought by the Borough of Carteret seeking to separate lieutenants from the rank-and-file firefighters.