Metro to pay $1.8M to firefighter who was demoted for controversial Facebook posts
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Metro Council's decision to reject a proposed settlement with a fire department employee, who was demoted for criticizing Black Lives Matter protesters, tremendously backfired.
By the numbers: The Metro Legal Department wanted to settle the case for $105,000, but needed Metro Council approval. In March 2024, council unanimously rejected the legal department's advice, and sent the case to trial.
- A federal jury voted on Friday to award demoted captain Tracy Turner just under $1.8 million.
Catch up quick: The controversy in 2020 began when Turner bashed BLM protestors on his Facebook page, according to Fox 17.
- In one post, Turner wrote "These protesters are the stupidest people on the planet, other than the arsonist and looters that hang out with them." He used terms like "thugs" and "animals" to describe the protesters.
- "I am not or ever have been a Slave Owner or a Bad Cop. Me or anyone else I know have never even spoke to the White Privilege office. (If you have their number please share) So quit looting and trying to burn down my city. If I offend you or you offend me, get over it," Turner wrote in another post.
- In response to his Facebook posts, Turner was placed on leave and later demoted. He also received rebukes from public officials such as state Rep. Vincent Dixie and Metro Councilmember Emily Benedict. He later apologized for the posts.
Friction point: In his federal lawsuit, Turner argued he had a 25-year track record of good performance and that his posts were non-threatening and protected by the First Amendment.
Flashback: Metro Councilmember Jeff Preptit, who is an attorney, said during the March 7, 2024 meeting his opposition to a settlement was "based in legal and constitutional principles."
- "The facts and the law demand that we reject this settlement," Preptit argued at the time.
- Metro legal director Wally Dietz unequivocally recommended council approve the proposed settlement. At that point in Turner's lawsuit, Federal Judge Eli Richardson had already ruled against Metro on key early motions, painting the picture that the city was likely to lose the lawsuit as a whole.
What's next: It will be up to Dietz to determine whether to appeal the jury's award to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.