Judge calls FDNY to account for EEO complaints amid allegations of racist culture

April 2, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

Hon. Nicholas Garaufis entered service as a U.S. district judge in the Eastern District of New York on August 28, 2000.
Photo courtesy of Douglas Palmer

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Brooklyn Federal Court Judge Nicholas Garaufis has summoned FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh and the city’s top attorney, Hon. Sylvia Hinds-Radix, to address delays in handling equal opportunity complaints within the Fire Department.

This directive follows incidents highlighting racial tensions, notably when state Attorney General Letitia James was heckled by pro-Trump firefighters during a public event. The judge’s order is an attempt to force the FDNY to do a better job at keeping its workplace fair and safe for everyone.

The controversy gained momentum after the Vulcan Society of Black firefighters criticized the FDNY’s slow response to complaints, linking it to a broader issue of systemic racism. The society’s president, Regina Wilson, cited a specific episode where firefighters disrupted a ceremony with political heckling, showcasing the department’s cultural rifts.

This incident, coupled with the FDNY’s reported backlog in investigating equal opportunity cases, has prompted a stern response from Judge Garaufis, demanding swift and substantial reforms.

FDNY officials attribute the backlog and delays to staffing shortages exacerbated by the pandemic, but the judge is calling for a more aggressive approach, including reallocating lawyers from other city departments to expedite case resolutions.

The FDNY and the city’s Law Department have affirmed their dedication to addressing these issues, with ongoing efforts to reinforce the EEO office and maintain decorum at departmental events.

Over the years, the FDNY has been the subject of several lawsuits accusing it of discrimination, especially in its hiring practices and the treatment of minority employees. This includes allegations of not giving racial minorities equal opportunities for raises and promotions.

In a significant case in 2014, New York City agreed to a $98 million settlement with the Vulcan Society over such allegations. There have also been reports of FDNY firefighters bullying Muslim colleagues, including attempts to introduce pork into their meals, violating Islamic dietary and American tort laws. There was also a controversy involving the hiring of the former FDNY commissioner’s son, who was accused of making antisemitic remarks.