A former state trooper from Homestead claims in a federal lawsuit filed on Tuesday that the Pennsylvania State Police fired him because he suffers from seizures as a result of head trauma from a July 2009, off-duty car accident.
Emmett Coleman, 32, who is black, says the agency violated federal disability and anti-discrimination laws because it still employs two white troopers with similar disabilities but fired him.
He was hired as a trooper in 2008 and was still on probationary status when he suffered a permanent injury in the wreck, the lawsuit states. The agency first extended his probationary status and then fired him, according to the lawsuit.
Coleman is seeking reinstatement, lost wages and damages. A state police spokeswoman declined comment.
Copyright 2011 Tribune Review Publishing CompanyAll Rights Reserved
