A diversity monitor appointed to the FDNY amid a lengthy discrimination lawsuit has billed the city for over $20 million since the post was created seven years ago.
The New York Post reports that Mark S. Cohen's yearly billing has risen from $1.6 million in 2012 to $4.9 million in 2018, which brings his total in seven years to nearly $23 million, according to records reviewed by the Post.
A federal judge appointed Cohen, a former prosecutor, following a lawsuit filed in 2007 by the Vulcan Society, which represents black New York City firefighters, and the Justice Department that alleged the FDNY discriminated against minorities.
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg fought the case for years before Bill DeBlasio took office in 2014 and settled the case for a massive $98 million. Cohen's role was to monitor anti-bias reforms within the fire department following the settlement.
When concerns were raised over the attorney's two most recent bills totaling $1.9 million, the lawyer cited various efforts to evaluate and improve the FDNY's recruitment of black and Hispanic firefighters.
“In cooperation with the monitor, the fire department has made substantial progress in implementing court-ordered reforms that have led to the recruitment and retention of a historically diverse workforce,” a New York City Law Department spokesperson told the Post.
Cohen was appointed to serve in his role for a decade.
