Foul in Flint: Jury Says City Discriminated Against White Officer
Michigan Live reports that a jury found race was a factor when the former mayor appointed four black men and one woman (bypassing typical promotion procedures) to a special unit. A white officer sued, and a jury awarded him $131,000 in damages.
Plaintiff’s attorney Glen Lenhoff said, “We feel it’s wrong when [a black American] is discriminated against, but it’s also wrong when a white male is discriminated against.”
If some of the officers’ claims are true, the unit was created to pacify people complaining about the paucity of blacks and women in leadership positions. According to the article, the plaintiff’s suit was one of 47 pending against the city.
It’s worth noting that government preferences are illegal in Michigan. In 2006, 58 percent of voters barred the government from preferring or discriminating against individuals or groups based on race in hiring, contracting, and admissions.
