Former Providence Firefighter wins sexual harassment suit against the department
By Ana Bottary
@anabottary
Lori Franchina shares a special moment with her family Monday, after winning in a gender discrimination and sexual harassment case against the Providence Fire Department. She’s awarded $806,000.
"When I climbed rank early in my career and I didn’t have the opportunity over years to gain the respect. It seemed to weigh heavily on some of the people within the department,” says Franchina.
Back in 2012, Franchina filed suit, claiming she was discriminated against because of her sexual orientation. Accusing her male colleagues of insubordination and hostility.
She says they refused to help her when responding to emergency calls, ridiculed her and called her an offensive nickname. She also claims a firefighter once flung blood and brain matter from a gunshot victim into her face.
"I really tried to do my job for a long period of time before I had to enter into this process,” she says.
Franchina’s parents say they hope this case will encourage others to step up and follow anti-discrimination laws.
"This is one individual here that has decided to stand on her own and take it all the way. She hit a homerun," says her father.
"It’s a victory in a sense of the time and the effort that I have put in. I hope that no other minority has to face it, both woman and anyone under title 7,” she adds.
Franchina says Mayor Elorza has confirmed he will be appealing this. But, as far as the future, she says career in Firefighting/EMS is over. She is planning to move back to New York to spend time with her family.
© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2016
