Janie Varnell and Sean O’Brien
25 veteran members of the Chattanooga Police Department on Friday received damages totaling $779,549.50 from the City of Chattanooga.
These officers were awarded nearly $500,000 following a jury verdict in their favor in August, 2017.
In April, the City Council voted to approve this final settlement. As a result, the city will dismiss their appeal.
“This is a wonderful result for each of these officers as well as for the Fraternal Order of Police. Without the help of the FOP, this case would never have been filed,” said attorney Janie Parks Varnell, with Davis & Hoss, P.C., who tried the jury trial and obtained the verdict. “Not only are we happy for the officers, but we are also proud to pay back the FOP for their willingness to bring this lawsuit to protect these officers.”
Davis & Hoss is remitting a check to the FOP in the amount of $156,994.
“I think this has to be a first for the FOP here in the State of Tennessee. We are happy to not only obtain a wonderful result for each Plaintiff, but to be able to pay back the FOP is something that rarely happens and certainly has never happened to this extent in this State,” said Bryan Hoss, partner at Davis & Hoss, P.C. “Without their help, these officers’ claims would have been ignored.”
Sean O’Brien, the president of the Local FOP chapter, said, “The first waves of consternation regarding pay disparity within the CPD began 10 years ago. Finally, after many ups and downs, an appropriate conclusion has been reached. On behalf of the impacted FOP members specifically and all our members of Rock City Lodge #22, I would like to personally thank Davis & Hoss for all your hard work. Without your advocacy none of this would have happened. Your tireless efforts on behalf of our members can't be overstated. Thank you for all you do!”