Jeremy E. Carroll of our firm won summary judgment in Federal Court for the Town of Bedford in a Title VII gender discrimination case. In the lawsuit, a former lieutenant with the Bedford Police Department claimed she was discriminated against and terminated because of her gender.  The former lieutenant also claimed she was retaliated against for protected activity.  The evidence demonstrated that the police chief terminated the lieutenant because he believed she had been dishonest with him.  Further, because the chief hired the lieutenant to begin with, there is a presumption that he would not subsequently discriminate against her.  Ultimately, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia granted the Town’s motion for summary judgment because the lieutenant could not show that the Town’s legitimate reason for her termination was pretext for discrimination.

“We are proud to have represented the Town of Bedford in this matter,” said Carroll.  “The Town and its police chief acted appropriately and lawfully at all times. They did not discriminate or retaliate against the plaintiff, and they have been vindicated against her allegations by the Court’s ruling.”

For the full text of the Court’s opinion, please click here