Gay Police Officer Wins $1 Million Judgment

A jury awarded $1.1 million on Thursday to an LAPD sergeant and media spokesman who said he suffered retaliation after complaining about a supervisor who mistreated him because he is gay.

According to the Los Angeles Times, "Sgt. Ronald Crump sued the city last year, alleging that his direct supervisor at the Los Angeles Police Department Media Relations Section -- Lt. John Romero -- made derogatory remarks about his homosexuality. Romero, who has since been promoted to captain, allegedly described him as 'the new Ruby minus the heels,' in reference to the woman he replaced in the unit."

Romero also allegedly claimed he studied at Liberty University, and that Jerry Falwell, the founder of the Christian institution, would "roll over in his grave" if he knew Romero had hired Crump.

Crump said he met with a supervisor and filed a written complaint, but the only result was his transfer from the media relations section to a less prestigious assignment.