TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Topeka City Council has rejected settlements with two city employees who allege they were victims of discrimination.
The council on Tuesday rejected a proposed $132,500 settlement of a lawsuit filed by Topeka Zoo staff veterinarian Shirley Yeo Llizo. The native of Singapore says she was fired in 2009 because of her race. She was rehired in 2010 after an arbitrator ruled the city should not have fired her.
Council members also denied a $1.3 million complaint from former Deputy Fire Chief Kathy Petty, who alleges her firing in February was because of sex discrimination and retaliation when she complained.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the city has said Petty’s job was one of several positions cut in an effort to reduce the city budget.