Kansas City will pay $850,000 to firefighter who didn’t get promotion because he’s white
A white firefighter who was denied a promotion because of his race will receive $850,000 in compensation, it has been announced.
According to reports, the settlement was reached after a lengthy legal battle between the firefighter, Jeremy Beckman, and the City of Kansas City, Missouri.
Beckman had filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging that he was passed over for a promotion in 2014 due to his race, despite being the top candidate for the position.
The city initially denied the allegations, but an investigation found that disciplinary action had been taken against Beckman for perceived performance issues, which may have been unfairly targeted because of his race.
As part of the settlement, the city has agreed to pay Beckman $850,000, which will cover his back pay, front pay, and compensation for emotional distress and attorney fees.
The settlement is a significant victory for Beckman, who has been a firefighter with the Kansas City Fire Department for over 20 years. The case is a rare example of a successful lawsuit filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for racial discrimination in a city employment setting.