Gay Cop Wins Discrimination Case

HALEDON, NJ -- A police officer has received a $450,000 settlement after suing Haledon, New Jersey and several of its officials for discriminating against him and refusing him a promotion because he is gay.

Sergeant James Len, a 20-year veteran of the force, claimed in May 2004 that he had been passed over for promotion and suffered harassment because he is gay.

In 2002, Len told his wife and children he was gay and moved out of their home. Soon after, as word spread through the police department that he was gay, other officers started to treat him differently.

He was reprimanded for minor tardiness, even though his colleagues were not. Former Councilman Ayman Mamkej once radioed "Homo, homo, homo," he claimed, and former Mayor Ken Pengitore called him a "three-dollar bill."

According to Len officers rigged the evaluation process in which Len was being considered for a promotion to lieutenant in order to prevent him from being promoted.

The settlement stipulates that charges brought against Len by the Police Department be expunged from his personnel file, and that any promotion practices in the future be done in "good faith".