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Civil rights Keyed to Jeffries, 5th Ed.
Bogan v. Scott-Harris
Citation:
523 U.S. 44 (1998)Facts
Janet Scott-Harris served as administrator of the Department of Health and Human Services for Fall River, Massachusetts from 1987 to 1991. In 1990, she filed a complaint against Dorothy Biltcliffe, a temporary employee under her supervision, for making racial and ethnic slurs about colleagues. Biltcliffe used political connections to press her case with officials, including Roderick. While charges against Biltcliffe were pending, Mayor Bogan prepared a budget proposal for fiscal year 1992 that included eliminating the DHHS department due to anticipated reductions in state aid. The city council committee chaired by Roderick approved the ordinance, which the council then adopted by a 6-2 vote, with Roderick voting in favor. Bogan signed the ordinance into law. Scott-Harris sued under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, claiming racial discrimination and First Amendment retaliation. The jury found for defendants on the racial discrimination claim but found the city, Bogan, and Roderick liable on the First Amendment claim.
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