Mayor’s Office of Communications
55 Trinity Avenue, Suite 2500 • Atlanta, Georgia 30303
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 07/23/12
News Release
City of Atlanta Prevails in Federal Court in AFRD Race Discrimination Lawsuit
Jury rejects race discrimination claims against the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department
ATLANTA – A federal jury on Monday rejected race discrimination claims brought by three white firefighters who were not promoted to Deputy and Assistant Chief positions in the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department in 2005. Plaintiffs contended that the City of Atlanta had a policy of promoting less qualified African-Americans to achieve what Plaintiffs referred to as “racial balancing.” Former Fire Chief Dennis Rubin testified that the sole consideration in all appointments was putting the best man or woman in the job.
“We are pleased with the jury’s verdict,” said City Attorney Cathy Hampton. “This verdict confirms that promotions in the City of Atlanta were and are based on merit, not race.”
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