Harassed Vancouver cop settles for $1.6 million
VANCOUVER, Wash. - In one of the largest settlements in Washington state history, the city of Vancouver will pay a former police officer more than $1.6 million to settle a harassment and retaliation lawsuit.
Navin Sharma sued the city after his firing in 2006. He accused the city of retaliation and racism.
The settlement comes just six weeks before his race and retaliation trial was set to begin in federal court.
It is Sharma's second lawsuit settlement with the city in the past seven years.
In 2001, Sharma settled for almost $300,000 after police administrators harassed him on the job by using racial slurs and refusing to provide him back-up on dangerous calls.
Part of that agreement allowed Sharma to keep his job as a decorated Vancouver police officer but soon after he returned to work, Sharma said the harassment began again.
In 2006, Sharma was fired and accused of intentionally doctoring DUII reports.
Sharma sued again, accusing the city of more racism and retaliation.
On Monday, the city agreed to pay the record settlement and renew Sharma’s good standing as a retired officer with full benefits.
Navin Sharma sued the city after his firing in 2006. He accused the city of retaliation and racism.
The settlement comes just six weeks before his race and retaliation trial was set to begin in federal court.
It is Sharma's second lawsuit settlement with the city in the past seven years.
In 2001, Sharma settled for almost $300,000 after police administrators harassed him on the job by using racial slurs and refusing to provide him back-up on dangerous calls.
Part of that agreement allowed Sharma to keep his job as a decorated Vancouver police officer but soon after he returned to work, Sharma said the harassment began again.
In 2006, Sharma was fired and accused of intentionally doctoring DUII reports.
Sharma sued again, accusing the city of more racism and retaliation.
On Monday, the city agreed to pay the record settlement and renew Sharma’s good standing as a retired officer with full benefits.