Black Fireman Fed Dog Food - Sues for Racial Harassment
A black fireman in Los Angeles had dog food secretly laced into his food at the firehouse. His fellow fireman thought it was a prank, but the victim saw it as race discrimination. The San Jose Mercury News reports that the case is set for trial later this month and that the case could settle in the millions.
According to news reports, the fireman, Tennie Pierce, sued the Los Angeles Fire Department for racial harassment and is now willing to settle for 3.1 million. The L.A. City council apparently was willing to pay 2.7 million but Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa vetoed any deal over 1 million. The city is now reconsidering the offer now that trial is set for September 24th.
Experts have warned the City Council that a jury verdict could exceed 7 million. Others say the case is simply unpredictable and could either flop or produce a huge verdict. Like most discrimination cases, both sides have a lot at stake and the outcome is uncertain - so a settlement is likely because neither side wants to lose.
Thanks to OverLawyered for reporting the story in its round up of top stories.
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