City Makes $387,500 Settlement in Bias Suit
The city has paid $387,500 to settle a discrimination lawsuit lodged by former Pomona Fire Chief G. John Parker, according to the settlement.
Parker, who was the city’s first African American fire chief, sued the city in 1995 for $10 million.
The suit claiming defamation, emotional distress and conspiracy came after the city decided in July 1994 to allow its 115-year-old department to be absorbed by the Los Angeles County fire service. That move resulted in Parker losing his position as fire chief.
The once-confidential settlement between Parker and the city was reached July 20, shortly before the case was to go to trial in Los Angeles Superior Court. It was released recently under the California Public Records Act.
A condition of the settlement was that neither side talk about the terms and that any breach would result in a $5,000 penalty. Under the settlement, neither side admitted any wrongdoing and both agreed to pay their own attorneys’ fees and costs.
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