--
Oct. 29--STOCKTON -- The city paid a firefighter $30,203 for settling a lawsuit that claimed the former chief didn't promote him because of racial discrimination.
Ed Rodriguez, who was recently promoted to deputy chief in the Stockton Fire Department, received $5,000 for lost wages, and the remaining $25,302 was for attorneys fees Rodriguez incurred.
Attorney Albert Ellis said the sum for the legal fees amounted to the actual cost of representing Rodriguez in the lawsuit filed in 2009. Ellis said it was not a lump sum awarded to him.
"These are not fees that are owed to my office," Ellis said. "They're owed to Mr. Rodriguez."
The suit was settled last month with Rodriguez's promotion. About the same time, the city fired former Fire Chief Ron Hittle, saying his management style was incompatible with the city's goals and mission.
In the original suit, Rodriguez, a Mexican-American, cited a "racially hostile" workplace, where Hittle told Rodriguez that "people like me do not have a place in his senior management positions."
Hittle is now fighting in court for a job back with the Fire Department.
Ellis said the city's payment was not made to reach the settlement, but rather Rodriguez was satisfied with newly appointed interim Chief David Rudat and Rudat's leadership.
Rodriguez was not available for comment late Friday. The city released the settlement Friday under a Record public records request. The parties had said the settlement terms were confidential.
Contact reporter Scott Smith at (209) 546-8296 or [email protected]. Visit his blog at recordnet.com/smithblog.
