It was a long-fought win for former Providence, RI Fire Lt. Lori Franchina, but she has finally been awarded $1.75 million in damages from a series of lawsuits alleging (and proving) discrimination against her on the basis of gender and sexual-orientation, and retaliation after filing her claims.
Reports Metroweekly.com:
Lori Franchina, who identifies as a lesbian, first began working for the Providence, Rhode Island, fire department in 2002. She quickly rose through the ranks, ending up as lieutenant, but claims she was mistreated due to her gender and sexual orientation. …
The years of harassment forced her into early retirement in 2013.
Franchina complained to her supervisors numerous times, and even met with Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare about the mistreatment. Although one male firefighter was fired for sexual harassment, he later got his job back. Others involved were never disciplined, according to Franchina’s attorney, John Martin.
In 2011, Franchina attempted to apply for an accidental disability pension. The city only granted her an ordinary disability pension worth about $22,000 — equivalent to 30% of her pre-retirement salary and fully taxable. Had she been granted an accidental disability pension, it would have been twice as much and would not have been subject to taxes.
The city’s retirement board allegedly claimed that the treatment Franchina was subjected to — which left her with post-traumatic stress disorder — was no different than what any firefighter could expect on the job.
Franchina sued the city of Providence in 2012, alleging she was subjected to years of harassment, disrespect and discrimination while working as a city firefighter.
In 2016, a jury awarded her $806,000 in damages, interest, and legal fees. The city appealed the decision, but the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the jury’s verdict.
In 2019, she petitioned to reopen her 2011 application, submitting sworn medical testimony from two physicians as evidence. But the Providence Retirement Board denied her claim in 2020, claiming that the case had already been “litigated to conclusion,” reports GO magazine.
In November 2021, Franchina filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming its refusal to reconsider the pension issue was a form of retaliation.
The Retirement Board claimed it lacked the authority to reopen her 2011 application. It alleged that she had not submitted new or sufficient medical evidence that her PTSD was the result of the harassment she received from fellow firefighters on the job. …
On April 11, a federal jury unanimously sided with Franchina, recognizing the city’s inaction as a form of retaliation for her past lawsuit against the city.
The jury awarded her $1.75 million in compensatory damages, which will amount to between $4 million and $5 million once legal fees and interest are included.
Read the complete metro weekly.com story here.
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