Portland Fire & Rescue Faces Jury Ruling Over Racial Hostility as Firefighter Wins Key Claims in Landmark Case
A Multnomah County jury recently concluded that the Portland Fire & Rescue Department created a racially hostile work environment for firefighter Jason Wilson. The jury’s decision, rendered on May 30, upheld two of Wilson’s three claims during a civil trial that underscored ongoing issues within the bureau. With 17 years of service and prior experience as a U.S. Marine, Wilson pursued $1.2 million in damages, claiming that he faced systemic discrimination based on his race. He argued that he was consistently overlooked for promotions and experienced retaliation after reporting misconduct related to racial bias within … Read more