A high-ranking police officer has filed a lawsuit against the City of Philadelphia, alleging racial discrimination and retaliation in the workplace. Anthony L. Washington filed the complaint on June 19, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against the City of Philadelphia and two senior officials in its Police Department.
According to the complaint, Washington, who is Black and has served as a Police Inspector since 2019, claims that he was subjected to discriminatory treatment compared to his white counterparts. The lawsuit names Chief Inspector Frank Vanore and Deputy Commissioner Benjamin Naish as defendants alongside the city. Washington alleges that while other officers accused of similar misconduct were protected from public scrutiny, his information was leaked to the press despite no substantiated evidence against him.
Washington began his career with the Philadelphia Police Department in November 1988 and rose through the ranks over several decades. In 2020, unsubstantiated sexual harassment allegations were made against him. Unlike his white colleagues—Chief Inspector Vanore and Deputy Commissioner Naish—who also faced similar accusations but were shielded from public exposure and retained their positions without demotion or exclusion from meetings, Washington's details were released to the media. "Defendants Vanore and Naish released personal information about Plaintiff Washington...for no other reason than that he was Black," states the complaint.
The lawsuit further alleges that after Washington complained about this discriminatory treatment internally within the department and later to Human Resources, he faced retaliation. He claims he was excluded from important meetings and deprived of necessary work-related information which impeded his ability to perform his duties effectively. This led to significant professional setbacks and emotional distress for Washington.
Washington seeks judgment in excess of $150,000 for damages including loss of employment opportunities, mental anguish, embarrassment, humiliation, and loss of self-esteem. He is also asking for attorneys' fees as allowed by law under various federal statutes including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Representing Anthony L. Washington is attorney Isaac H. Green from Glenside, Pennsylvania. The case has been assigned Case ID 2:24-cv-02700-JFM with Judge JFM presiding over it.