$18K settlement ends Black officer’s lawsuit

Easton officials approved a settlement paying $18,000 to settle a Black police officer’s claims he suffered retaliation for reporting racist conduct in the police department.

The settlement obtained by The Morning Call through the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law was reached June 23 and is not an admission of fault or liability by the city, the document says. The payment is to cover Lockett’s attorney fees and costs.

George E. Lockett Jr. filed the lawsuit in October in U.S. District Court in Allentown describing numerous racist comments and acts Lockett allegedly experienced or overheard since he joined the department in 2006 and claims he suffered mental anguish, emotional distress, humiliation and other harm as a result. The suit alleges Easton violated the federal Civil Rights Act and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.

At the time the suit was filed City Administrator Luis Campos said the city had investigated Lockett’s claims thoroughly and denied the allegations. In an extensive answer to Lockett’s complaint, the city refuted his claims.

Lockett claimed that a commanding officer, Lt. Stephen Homoki, kept a compilation of photos of Black people, many of whom had never been arrested by Easton police, and ordered officers to stop and photograph Black people. The city responded by saying the logbook was a legitimate police tool used to track individuals of all races and ethnicities who had multiple aliases and no identification. It also said Lockett admitted never personally hearing the order to stop and photograph Black people.

Lockett also claimed that another commanding officer, Lt. Tom Smith, was reported for posting racist comments about former First Lady Michelle Obama and Black politicians on social media but received no discipline. The city responded that Smith was suspended during an investigation and later resigned so no discipline was possible.

The settlement bars either side from commenting on the case.

— Peter Hall

NORTH WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP