Black Fire Captain Alleges Years of Racism and Harassment in Lawsuit

Lawsuit Alleges Discrimination and Harassment

• 📌 Captain Komako Goolsby, the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department's highest-ranked Black female officer, has filed a lawsuit alleging years of harassment, bullying, false accusations, and ridicule.
• 🎯 Goolsby, who became captain in September 2022, claims fellow officers have targeted her with investigations for minor infractions and made slanderous statements.

Specific Incidents and Allegations

• ⚠️ A dispute over a $28 replacement of a pulse oximeter led to a demand for Goolsby's captain's bars and a 15-day suspension, which her lawsuit argues was disproportionate.
• 🔍 Goolsby also faced accusations of falsifying a report related to an emergency call, which she attributed to illness and a "foggy brain" at the time.
• 🗣️ The lawsuit details instances of a white lieutenant allegedly getting in her face to intimidate her and filing multiple baseless internal affairs complaints.

Unequal Application of Rules and Policies

• ⚖️ The lawsuit contends that white firefighters, including captains, have routinely received counseling for similar or worse infractions without public leaks or severe discipline.
• 📱 Fire Chief Michael Ramstock allegedly slandered Goolsby on Facebook, violating city policy, while other officers displayed Proud Boys and Trump clothing and harassed minority employees without consequence.
• 🚫 A minority employee who complained about one of these officers was disciplined, highlighting a perceived double standard.

Systemic Issues and Legal Claims

• 🏢 Goolsby has complained to superiors and the city's diversity, equity, and inclusion office, but the lawsuit states her concerns have not been adequately addressed, leading to monthly investigations and hostile working conditions.
• 💰 The lawsuit accuses the city and several employees of racial and gender discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation, seeking over $1.5 million in damages.
• 🏛️ The city has stated that the Ohio Civil Rights Commission previously reviewed similar allegations and found no probable unlawful discriminatory practices, calling the claims unfounded.