DOJ and Austin Settle Discrimination Suit

Posted by: Curt Varone June 10, 2014 0

The City of Austin, Texas and the US Department of Justice have reach an agreement to settle a race discrimination lawsuit filed in 2013.

The DOJ filed suit on behalf of 12 African-American and 18 Hispanic applicants who alleged the 2012 hiring process was discriminatory.

The parties are poised to enter into a consent decree that will require the department to change its screening and selection practices for entry-level positions. The city has agreed to pay $780,000 in back pay to applicants “who were harmed by the 2012 hiring practice…and who are determined to be eligible for relief.”

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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