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Employment Law
FEHA
Denial of Promotion

Heinz Hofmann, Thomas Buckley v. The City and County of San Francisco, George Gascon, Jeffrey Godown

Published: Feb. 21, 2015 | Result Date: Nov. 25, 2014 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: 4:11-cv-04016-CW Settlement –  $200,000

Court

USDC Northern


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Thomas K. Bourke
(Law Office of Thomas K. Bourke)


Defendant

Dennis J. Herrera
(San Francisco Public Utilities Commission)

Elizabeth S. Salveson
(Office of the San Francisco City Attorney)

Rafal Ofierski
(Office of the San Francisco City Attorney)


Facts

Heinz Hofmann and Thomas Buckley v. sued the City and County of San Francisco, George Gascon, and Jeffrey Godown.

Contentions

PLAINTIFFS' CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiffs, who both worked for the San Francisco Police Dept. and were Caucasian, alleged that they were denied promotions due their race. Plaintiffs alleged that the SFPD implemented a "banding," which affected a reverse discrimination scheme. As such, plaintiffs asserted claims for violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, violation of Civil Rights Act of 1871, violation of Civil Rights Act of 1964, violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act, and violation of the state constitution.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS:
Defendants disputed plaintiffs' claims. Defendants argued that plaintiffs failed to identify an allegedly long-standing practice and custom of discrimination. Moreover, defendants alleged that plaintiffs' claims were time-barred or otherwise legally deficient.

Result

The parties reached a $200,000 settlement.

Other Information

FILING DATE: Aug. 16, 2011.


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