A Colorado appeals court agrees with a judge's finding that the state patrol discriminated against a former captain who was denied re-employment after the agency learned he was gay.
But the appeals court said in a Thursday decision that the way he was awarded nearly $600,000 in damages needs to be redone. The court sent the damages back to the state personnel board for further review, but let Brett Williams keep more than $172,000 in back pay.
The issue arose after Williams left the agency become a helicopter pilot but later asked to return. During a polygraph test, Williams was asked a question that forced him to reveal his sexual orientation.
A judge concluded patrol leaders used the test to deny Williams' reinstatement, contrary to law-enforcement hiring standards.
