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July 02, 2008

Cop Settles in Antigay Discrimination Suit

Police officer Adam Bereki, 29, has reached a settlement with the city of Huntington Beach, Calif., ending an antigay discrimination lawsuit, The Orange County Register reported Monday.

According to the Register, Bereki alleged that his peers harassed him by placing a gay escort ad in his locker, suggesting he was HIV-positive, and insinuating that he handled only gay sex crimes.

James Trout, Bereki’s attorney, described the antigay discrimination Bereki said he suffered after a rumor that Bereki was gay began circulating among other Huntington Beach police officers. “They really relentlessly harassed and ridiculed him,” Trout told the Register. “They made his life miserable, and he couldn’t take it anymore.”

After complaining three times to supervisors, Bereki agreed to go on administrative leave in February 2007.

The Register reported that police chief Kenneth Small will meet with the accused officers later this month. Although none of them have been placed on administrative leave, Lt. Dave Bunetta, a department spokesman, told the Register, “Anyone being harassed or victimized will not be tolerated by the police department.” The city has not acknowledged any wrongdoing, he added.

Bereki received a lump sum of $150,000 and will receive a $4,000 monthly disability payment for the rest of his life, the Register reported, potentially totaling approximately $2.15 million. ( The Advocate )

Keywords:  antigay discrimination 
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Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

  • Name: Art M.
    Date posted: 2008-07-02 6:47 PM
    Hometown: San Francisco, CA

    Comment:

    *I* have been through the harrassment, and I'll tell you - it's not enough. I chased suspects past fellow cops that waved at me as I went by, refusing to back me up. I had officers laugh about skinhead gangs that beat up gays, saying "That sounds like a fun Saturday night". After two years of this crap - they finally had enough "paper" to fire me, and no, I did NOT fight - having been told that if I dropped it, my life could go on - but that if I fought, they'd destroy my life every chance they got - as I had seen them do this to others before me - I got the point and let it go. Until you've been tortured and harrassed and fear for your life - you have NO idea of the terror they can engender, and of the toll it takes on your life. I wish Adam all the best and hope he can start to heal now.


  • Name: Cheryl
    Date posted: 2008-07-02 1:37 PM
    Hometown: Tulsa

    Comment:

    You probably wouldnt think it enough money had you been attacked in such a way. The important thing is that this man followed through. Perhaps the next guy or gal in his position wont suffer at the hands of this police department.


  • Name: Tom
    Date posted: 2008-07-01 9:23 PM
    Hometown: Seattle

    Comment:

    “Anyone being harassed or victimized will not be tolerated by the police department.” Clearly.


  • Name: Andrew
    Date posted: 2008-07-01 9:04 PM
    Hometown: BP

    Comment:

    I think that's too much money.


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