BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) \u2014 After a Kern County judge overturned a former Bakersfield fire captain\u2019s initial victory in a lawsuit alleging race discrimination from the city, the case is now before the appeals court.<\/p>\n
Edgar Quincy Sloan, a former fire captain with the Bakersfield Fire Department, filed a lawsuit against the city and the department in November 2020.<\/p>\n
Watch \u2018After Sunrise\u2019 on KGET+; Click to learn how to get KGET+ on your smart TV devices <\/a><\/p>\n The lawsuit<\/a> alleged years of discrimination against Sloan based on his race and religion, which included verbal insults and interference in his attempts to get promoted to the battalion chief position. Sloan is African American and a Jehovah\u2019s Witness, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n On Nov. 5, a local jury found the city was at fault and awarded Sloan $700,000. The city challenged that verdict and Judge Michael A. Caves ultimately overturned it Jan. 16<\/a>, saying the jury at the time came to that conclusion without finding any acts of harassment nor discrimination.<\/p>\n Attorney Nancy Doumanian representing Sloan said they filed an appeal to restore the jury\u2019s initial decision and the city has also filed a cross-appeal. The case is now moved to the appellate court.<\/p>\n If the appellate court finds the overturning was incorrectly issued, a trial would move forward, according to Bakersfield City Attorney Virginia Gennaro. On the other hand, if it rules in favor of the city, the lawsuit would end with the city\u2019s victory.<\/p>\n \u201cThe jury spoke clearly, yet the city continues to deny responsibility and refuses to pay the verdict,\u201d Doumanian said. \u201cWe remain confident in the strength of our case and in the integrity of the jury\u2019s decision, and we will continue fighting to ensure that verdict is respected and upheld.\u201d<\/p>\n