Lafd to Pay Fireman Nearly $500k to Settle Federal Discrimination Charges

LA Daily News
January 31, 2012

http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_19863908

The Los Angeles Fire Department will pay $494,150 and institute anti-harassment training to settle federal discrimination charges filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the agency announced Tuesday.

Anthony Almeida, a firefighter/engineer since 1986, filed an EEOC discrimination allegation in 2007, alleging that he was continually harassed by fellow firefighters who used offensive comments of a sexual and religious nature, according to the EEOC.

An investigation found the harassment, which began in late 2006, appeared linked to a lawsuit filed against the Roman Catholic Church by Almeida, regarding sexual abuse he suffered by a priest.

After a co-worker learned that Almeida sued the church, several firefighters mocked him, using explicit and offensive religious and sexual epithets, the EEOC said.

Although Almeida complained about the harassment to management, the EEOC investigation found the fire department failed to halt or adequately address it, according to the federal agency.

The EEOC found that Almeida was retaliated against for his participation in another equal employment opportunity investigation, the EEOC said.

"We are pleased that the Los Angeles City Fire Department is demonstrating its commitment toward creating a workplace free of harassment and retaliation," said Olophius Perry, district director for the local EEOC office.

"By working with the EEOC this way, the department is sending a message that no further civil rights abuses will be tolerated - a key responsibility of all employers," he said.