Evidence of Reverse Discrimination Was So ‘Overwhelming’ That a Jury Awarded the Victim More Than $1 Million

Photo Credit: Village of FreeportA New York police officer was awarded $1.35 million dollars this week after he successfully sued the village of Freeport, alleging he was passed over for a promotion because of his race.

A Long Island jury sided with Lt. Christopher Barrella after he claimed that then-Mayor Andrew Hardwick overlooked him to become chief of police so that he could name a Hispanic candidate to the position instead.

“I am very gratified that the jury ruled that I deserved to be chief of police. Throughout this entire process, I have tried to maintain a positive attitude and do my best for the department and the village of Freeport and will continue to do so,” Barrella said in a statement. “It has been a long and trying process, but I always had faith that if we could present our case to a jury of my peers they would see that I was discriminated against.”

His legal team, comprised of Amanda M. Fugazy and Adam C. Weiss, said that “racial discrimination against white employees is just as unlawful as discrimination black, Hispanic or Asian employees.”

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