New Haven Firefighters’ Case Finally Over
Posted on Aug 19, 2011 on Discrimination and Harassment, Legal Updates, News, Race / Color by
Ricci v. DeStefano, a case that garnered national media attention, has finally come to a close as the City of New Haven, Connecticut offered to pay over $5 million to conclude the case.
In 2003, Caucasian firefighters claimed reverse discrimination because the City of New Haven threw out their promotion test results because too few minorities did well. In 2009 the case eventually made its way to the Supreme Court where the Justices found for the firefighters. The case went back down to the United States District Court to decide on a damage award.
The City offered to pay about $2 million total in back pay and monetary damages to the plaintiffs, as well as $3 million in attorney’s fees. The plaintiffs will also receive additional pension benefits. After eight years, this case is finally over. Hopefully, the City can now concentrate on other issues.