FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW YORK, September 22, 2014 – Today, New York Civil Rights Attorney Eric Sanders, Esq., of The Sanders Firm, P.C., announces he has filed a Charge of Discrimination with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging discrimination and corruption within the Promotional Review Board process of the Troy Police Department.
John Coons, who self-identifies as Irish-American was promoted to sergeant on January 23, 2004. Since then, Mr. Coons have always aspired to ascend the promotional ladder to captain. When Mr. Coons had the opportunity, he sat for the civil service examination.
According to the Charge, on September 25, 2010, Mr. Coons sat for the Promotion to Captain, Police Department City of Troy. Shortly thereafter, he placed second on the certified eligible’s list. Mr. Coons claims he was passed over for promotion in 2011, 2013 and 2014 because he publicly complained about he and Anthony Conyers (African-American Male) being passed over for promotion due to their race and political affiliation. Mr. Coons claims Chief John Tedesco (Italian-American Male) promotes Italian-American males and other males political affiliated with him over other employees.
Since appearing on the eligible’s list, Mr. Coons claims at least three lower list numbers were promoted over him notably, Joseph Centanni (Italian-American).
Mr. Coons claims the Promotional Review Board process under Chief John Tedesco is subjective operating without established guidelines and the City of Troy either condones, acquiesces and/or actively participates in this subjective process.
Mr. Coons seeks retroactive pay and benefits, along with substantial changes in the Promotional Review Board process.
“Diversity and open-competitiveness seems to be flawed concepts under Chief John Tedesco. Diversity and open-competitiveness arguably supports a more flexible and efficient approach to modern policing. Unfortunately, sometimes these concepts must be enforced with costly litigation. We certainly look forward to continuing working in partnership with the City of Troy, the Department as well as other interested stakeholders to ensure diversity and open-competitiveness in police management are enthusiastically embraced,” says Eric Sanders.
ABOUT THE SANDERS FIRM, P.C.
The Sanders Firm, P.C. offers those in the New York City area legal services related and connected to civil rights, civil service rights, criminal law and discrimination. We firmly believe in everyone’s individual rights that are described and guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America. We understand that our freedoms and liberties are sacrosanct and that they have been won in many and various hard-fought battles. We are committed in every way to protecting your civil rights. We are your voice for justice!
CONTACT
Eric Sanders, Esq.
President and Owner, The Sanders Firm, P.C.
Business Phone: 212-652-2782
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