A white group of firefighters who won a reverse discrimination case before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2009 have been awarded about $2 million in damages from the city of New Haven, ending a 7-year-old legal battle that was fueled by national debate over racial justice, The Associated Press reports.
 The Supreme Court ruled that officials violated white firefighters’ civil rights when they threw out 2003 promotion tests results because too few minorities did well. The firefighters returned to U.S. District Court in Connecticut seeking back pay, damages and legal fees.
Court papers indicate 20 firefighters accepted offers Wednesday from the city for back pay, additional pension benefits and interest. A trial to decide the damages had been set to begin Aug. 26.
Attorneys for the city told The AP on Thursday that the firefighters will receive about $2 million and the city will pay their attorneys’ fees and costs of about $3 million.
“I think it’s a fair offer,” said Richard Roberts, an attorney who represented the city. “We’re glad we can move ahead and put this behind us.”
City officials said the settlement, which includes three years of pension credit, avoids the cost and uncertainty of further litigation. They said the settlement will be paid for from an account set aside for the case and insurance proceeds.
