RSS 2.0 FeedThursday, February 2, 2012, Freeport-Baldwin Leader
Reverse discrimination lawsuit filed against village
Claims that officer was overlooked for promotion.
Freeport Police Lieutenant Chris Barrella filed a lawsuit against the Village of Freeport and its mayor, Andrew Hardwick last week in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, charging that Mayor Hardwick has discriminated against Mr. Barella based upon his race. Mr. Barella is a white, non-Hispanic man.
According to a press release from Lieutenant Barrella’s attorneys, Fugazy & Rooney LLP, received by The Leader, Lieutenant Barrella should have been promoted to chief of police but was overlooked because Mayor Hardwick wanted to promote a black or Hispanic individual. Mayor Hardwick is African American. The lawsuit alleges that Mayor Hardwick chose a less qualified individual for the position based upon race.
The lawsuit stated that Lieutenant Barrella scored number one on the Chief of Police civil service exam, has been a police officer in the Village of Freeport for more than 20 years, holds a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree in public administration, and a juris doctor (law degree).
Additionally, the lawsuit stated Lieutenant Barrella has command-level emergency management training, has scored number one on every civil service promotional exam he has taken, and has been recognized many times during his career for his solid police work. He has also received special training from the FBI’s National Academy.
The lawsuit alleges that the mayor’s choice for chief of police scored lower on the civil service exam, had less tenure than Lieutenant Barrella and doesn’t have a college degree. The lawsuit stated that the mayor appointed his candidate on the basis of his race while discriminating against Lieutenant Barrella.
“Reverse discrimination is as pernicious as any other kind of discrimination. Lieutenant Barrella was the most qualified candidate for the police chief position, scoring number one on the civil service exam on top of his impressive academic and professional accomplishments. Mayor Hardwick never even considered Lieutenant Barrella for the position because Lieutenant Barrella isn’t black or Hispanic—the mayor never even interviewed him,” says Amanda Fugazy, Lieutenant Barrella’s attorney.
“Instead, Mayor Hardwick went to extraordinary lengths to ensure that his Hispanic candidate was appointed to the position of chief despite the fact that he is not nearly as qualified as Lieutenant Barrella. Mayor Hardwick appointed the police chief on the basis of race. Mayor Hardwick has demonstrated a practice of favoritism towards blacks and Hispanics and discriminates against non-Hispanic whites. This is racism, a violation of the law, and it cannot be tolerated.”
When asked for comment, a spokesperson for the village replied that the village does not comment on pending litigations.
However on Facebook, a comment was posted allegedly by Mayor Hardwick stating that he hires “the best people based on the experience and qualifications regardless of race, gender, creed or sexual orientation.” The village did not respond prior to press time on whether this statement was indeed made by the mayor or someone posing as Mayor Hardwick.
