By FireRescue1 Staff
TOPEKA, Kan. — A fire captain is suing the City of Topeka, claiming the Topeka Fire Department allegedly passed her over for promotion due to her gender, WIBW 13 reported.
In the suit, TFD Captain Barbara Hack claims she was passed over for two promotions she applied for, one of which was given to a man who did not meet the minimum qualifications and the other given to a man who had not applied for the position.
Hack said she was then forced out of the department on April 1. She is seeking financial relief, alleging the incident cost her past and future wages and benefits, as well as emotional distress.
City of Topeka spokesperson Gretchen Spiker acknowledged the lawsuit but declined to comment on the matter.
“The city takes claims of this nature very seriously and has full faith that the justice system will resolve this issue,” Spiker told 13 NEWS. “Because the matter involves potential pending litigation, and in order to not prejudice the process, the city has no further comment.”
