Teaneck Township and Fire Department

Teaneck, NJ: (Mar-24-07) Harold Harmon sued the township and its fire department alleging he was subjected to racial slurs and harassment since joining the department in 1990. Harmon, one of six African-Americans in the 100-member department, also filed a complaint against Retired Deputy Fire Chief William Panzella for calling him names and referring to black people as "monkeys" in front of Harmon's children and others at a fellow firefighter's barbecue in May 2004. In a settlement reached, the township agreed to pay the firefighter $530,000 and his lawyers $220,000. Panzella, who was named individually in the suit, will pay an additional $8,000 to Harmon. Harmon is making $92,813 this year and will be entitled to a $60,552 yearly pension upon retirement, according to the state Treasury Department. [NORTH JERSEY: FIREFIGHTER HARASSMENT]

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Published on Mar-27-07