In a complaint filed in Broward Circuit Court, former Sergeant Phillip Horne says he provided an outside investigator with text messages from then–Police Chief Joseph Galaska that contained sexually charged content and statements showing bias against women officers. As an example in his lawsuit, Horne used past allegations brought forward by Lieutenant Lori Marrero, who had accused Galaska of claiming that she used sex as a means of promotion. Allegations were later substantiated in a February 2024 report that found Galaska in violation of the city’s respectful workplace policies.
Horne cited the case of Lieutenant Erin Blanton as another example of what he saw as unfair treatment of women officers. Horne had previously been disciplined over an off-duty incident involving Blanton, with whom he had a personal relationship. According to the lawsuit, Galaska twice told Blanton she would be promoted to lieutenant and even congratulated her, but later withdrew the offers. She was then required to retest after the eligibility list closed and was disqualified when the scoring method changed.
Horne says his cooperation with the investigation and his public statements led the city to revive internal affairs claims against him. He alleges the city notified residents of his termination before completing its own procedures, though the lawsuit does not specify which steps were bypassed. He was fired on Oct. 7, 2024, and is seeking back pay, damages, and attorney’s fees.
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Bengaluru: Home minister G Parameshwara Thursday told the legislative assembly that the complainant-witness in the alleged mass burial case in Dharmasthala could face legal action if the special i...