Local Law Firms Home > Employment Law News > DC Cop Files $6M Lawsuit For Employment Law Violation Hilton Burton, the Washington DC police officer who escorted actor Charlie Sheen with flashing lights, has filed an employment law violation and retaliation lawsuit. He is asking for $6 million in damages. Back in April last year, Charlie Sheen's representative had contacted the city and asked for transportation assistance because the actor was flying in from Los Angeles and running late for a show. The city sent two off-duty officers to drive Sheen from Dulles International Airport to his show venue. They motorcade with police car escorts front and back sped through the city with emergency lights flashing. Charlie Sheen even tweeted about it, including a photo that showed the car's speedometer at 80 mph. The city billed the event promoter $445 for eight hours of overtime. Subsequently, Hilton Burton was called up before the city council to explain his actions, where he said that the city routinely provides escorts for visiting celebrities. The IG office investigated the matter and found no wrongdoing on the part of the officers who provided the escort. But they did criticize the police department for not providing clear guidelines about escorts for non-dignitaries. However, Washington DC Police Chief, Cathy Lanier, said that the escort was not properly approved and broke regulations by using emergency lights without justifiable cause. Burton was demoted two ranks from commander to captain. Lanier claims the demotion was because of performance and had nothing to do with the Charlie Sheen incident. Nevertheless, Burton claims his demotion and transfer to another unit was retaliation. His lawyer says the department cannot prove the demotion was due to poor performance because they did not bring it up before the Sheen escort. Burton had previously filed a discrimination complaint and lawsuit against Cathy Lanier. He has now filed a lawsuit against the police department, which asks for full reinstatement to his former rank and position as head of the special operations division, along with $6 million in damages. Did you know? You can file a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) without fear of retaliation by your employer. As per employment law, it is illegal for an employer to fire, demote, harass or otherwise retaliate against an employee who has filed a discrimination complaint with the EEOC.
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