New Jersey City Settles Fire Department Discrimination Suits

Racial discrimination claims brought by two Camden deputy fire chiefs against their department have been settled.

Terrence Crowder and Kevin Hailey, who are black, first sued in 2001, alleging discrimination and a hostile work environment involving Fire Chief Joseph Marini and Chief Herbert Leary, who are white.

A jury in 2005 found for Crowder and Hailey, who remained in their jobs. But they filed a second suit in 2006, claiming the discrimination persisted and they faced retaliation.

The settlement, approved Thursday by a federal judge, ends the legal action. It calls for Crowder, who retired in May, and Hailey, who will retire next year, to receive $1.15 million.

In addition, Marini will retire on Dec. 31, and all supervisory fire officers with the rank of captain or higher will undergo diversity training. Leary has already retired.