Minnesota City Settles Firefighter Suit for $528K

The city of St. Paul, Minn., has settled a firefighter’s discrimination claim for nearly $530,000.

William Eldredge hasn’t fought a fire in about seven years because of diminished eyesight. He said the city tried to transfer him into a lower-paying job with lighter duties, and also tried to fire him because of the disability.

A St. Paul Pioneer Press report says the city council approved the settlement unanimously on Wednesday. A message left with the council Thursday wasn’t immediately returned.

As part of the settlement Eldredge will also be given a desk job with the fire department that pays about $200,000 annually.

Eldredge’s attorney, Adrianna Shannon, says the city “really stepped up to the plate.”

More than half the settlement will go toward attorney fees.