TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Former Topeka Deputy Fire Chief Kathy Petty has filed a complaint accusing the city of sexual discrimination and retaliating against her when she complained.
Petty is seeking $1.3 million in damages, who was the department’s first female deputy chief. After being a target of criticism from the firefighters’ union, she was fired in February 2010. She was also an unsuccessful applicant for a training officer’s job earlier this year.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the city attorney’s office is recommending that the city council deny the claim at its meeting next Tuesday. The city argues that Petty’s job was one of numerous positions cut because of budget problems in 2010.
Petty filed the discrimination complaint with the Kansas Human Rights Commission last month.
