MINNEAPOLIS — The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners settled a racial discrimination lawsuit Tuesday that would award eight correctional officers nearly $1.46 million.
The officers filed the lawsuit after a jail superintendent barred officers of color from guarding Derek Chauvin because their race might be "liability" around him. The former Minneapolis police officer was initially jailed in Ramsey County after his arrest in the murder of George Floyd. Video of the death prompted global outrage and days of rioting in Minnesota and elsewhere.
"No one ever should have questioned your ability to perform your job based on the color of your skin," board Chair Trista MatasCastillo said in a statement. She apologized to the officers while approving the settlement Tuesday.