Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Nan Hegerty's Discrimination Suit Tossed

Former Milwaukee Police Chief Nan Hegerty followed in the tradition of another Milwaukee police chief and filed a discrimination lawsuit when she was replaced.

When Arthur Jones cried racial discrimination and sued the city, his two suits were dismissed.

History is repeating itself. Like Jones, Hegerty's suit has met the same fate.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

State officials investigating a gender discrimination complaint filed by former Milwaukee Police Chief Nannette Hegerty found no probable cause in her claim against the city and dismissed the case.

The Equal Rights Division of the state Department of Workforce Development also found that portions of the claim were not filed in a timely manner and determined that there was no reason to hold a formal hearing in the case, which Hegerty filed in March.

The dismissal of the claim will become final unless Hegerty submits a written appeal to the division.

Hegerty's attorney said this morning that his client will not appeal the dismissal.

John F. Fuchs noted in an e-mail statement this morning that Hegerty "brought this action merely to illustrate, and attempt to remedy, the phenomenon perpetuated by the MPD in which a female, whatever the reason or its technical legality, was compensated less for the same job as were her male predecessor and male successor."

Yeah, right.

Hegerty really wasn't interested in suing. She just "brought this action merely to illustrate, and attempt to remedy, the phenomenon perpetuated by the MPD in which a female... was compensated less for the same job as were her male predecessor and male successor."

Sure, that was all that she hoped to get from the lawsuit -- an opportunity to illustrate an injustice.

She didn't do that.

She only served to make her departure from the MPD less dignified. Very unfortunate.

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