Fort Pierce settles discrimination suit for $400K
FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) – The city of Fort Pierce has agreed to settle a federal lawsuit that alleged racial discrimination against three black code enforcement officers.
The city announced in a news release Wednesday that it will settle the case for $400,000 “in the interests of the residents of the city.” The total amount of the settlement is for all three plaintiffs and includes attorney’s fees.
The allegations surfaced in 2006 when officers Fritz Burlinson, Geneva Hasranah and Ricky Duncan said they received negative marks on their employment evaluations while white employees hired about the same time received positive remarks despite all passing the same exam. The officers also said they were demoted after they complained.
The city continues to deny the allegations.