Connecticut Town Settles Police Discrimination Case

The town of Greenwich, Connecticut has agreed to pay $887,000 to settle a racial discrimination lawsuit involving several minority police officers.

Town officials revealed the terms of the settlement after the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the deal.

Insurance will cover the cost.

Five officers will split $167,649.

Lewis Chimes, an attorney who represented the five officers and three others who were not awarded damages by a jury, will receive $631,351. The balance of $88,000 pays court costs and expert fees.

The lawsuit was filed in 2006 by the officers, who said they endured a hostile work environment and were held back from special assignments because of racial bias.

A jury in July found the town allowed a policy or practice of discrimination on the basis of race.