Oakland Expected To Settle Discrimination Lawsuit

OAKLAND, CA — Oakland City Attorney Barbara Parker is recommending that the City Council approve a $450,000 settlement for a fire captain who filed a suit alleging that former Fire Chief Teresa Deloach-Reed discriminated and retaliated against him when she failed to promote him.

In a memo to the council, Parker said Capt. Joseph Torres alleges that Deloach-Reed discriminated and retaliated against him when she failed to promote him from the battalion chief eligibility list from 2012 to 2014.

Parker said Torres then filed a complaint in federal court for damages against the city alleging discrimination and retaliation and a violation of his civil rights.

Parker said that without admitting fault or wrongdoing, the city has determined to compromise and settle Torres' claims by paying him $450,000.

The City Council is scheduled to vote on the proposed settlement at its meeting next Tuesday night.

Deloach-Reed was criticized for the Fire Department's response to the Ghost Ship warehouse fire on Dec. 2, 2016, that claimed the lives of 36 people and announced her retirement in March 2017.

— Bay City News; Image via Shutterstock