Legal news for New York police officer attorneys – A 14-year veteran files sexual discrimination suit and wins. City to pay $400K.
This Police officer is the third in 10 months to file sexual discrimination suit against Syracuse.
Syracuse, NY (www.NewYorkInjuryNews.com) – A jury verdict on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 awarded a female Syracuse police officer $400,000, following a federal suit claiming sexual discrimination, as reported by Syracuse.com. Officer Katherine Lee, 35, is a 14-year veteran.
The jury found the department guilty of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as a result of Lee being placed on administrative leave and denied a gun after suffering post-traumatic stress disorder. The U.S. District Judge threw out that verdict though, based on the city’s claims Lee had not met the legal burden of proof. The jury awarded her $650,000 but the judge gave her $400,000.
Lee is the third plaintiff to reach a verdict of $450,000 or more against the police department over sexual discrimination, harassment and retaliation of women in the last 10 months. Sgt. Therese Lore was awarded $500,000 in May 2009 and Officer Sonia Dotson was awarded $450,000 in February 2010.
The lawsuit began in 2006, when Lee claimed she was repeatedly subjected to sexual harassment and adverse employment actions and excluded from work for a perceived disability. The police department labeled Lee emotionally unfit to carry a gun after a post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis in 2000. As a result, Lee was not allowed to carry a gun for two years, even after being labeled healthy by doctors, as stated in court papers. The suit also claimed the department deprived her of pay and promotions equal to her male counterparts.
The city plans to repeal the verdict, according to Corporation Counsel Juanita Perez Williams. If the verdict stands, the money will come from the city funds or bonds issued by the city, because the city is self-insured.
Legal News Reporter: Tara Monks – Legal news for police officer and personal injury attorneys.