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Former Columbus Police Officer Sues City For Racial Discrimination

Esther Honig
/
WOSU

A former Columbus Police officer says his firing by the city's police department was the result of racial discrimination.

A federal lawsuit was filed on behalf of Kevin Morgan, a black officer who alleges he was wrongly terminated in 2015 and treated unfairly compared to white officers facing similar allegations.

Morgan was accused of improperly reporting his hours while on special duty. The lawsuit says white officers facing similar allegations were suspended and told to pay back money they stole from the city.

The lawsuit, which was filed against the City of Columbus and Chief Kim Jacobs, states that after many months of investigation, investigators were "unable to present clear proof that Officer Morgan had claimed compensation dishonestly.”

Morgan is seeking more than $25,000 in damages, reinstatement and an admission to discriminatory practices by the city. Columbus Police declined to comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.