Annapolis firefighter loses reverse discrimination suit

A white Annapolis firefighter passed over for promotion in favor of a minority can’t sue for reverse discrimination, a federal judge has ruled.

Though Firefighter Robert F. Christian, 36, was “objectively qualified� to become a lieutenant and was the top-ranked candidate when a position became available in 2005, former Fire Chief Michael Lonergan was within his rights to promote an African-American firefighter who did worse on an exam, the judge said.

“Even if it may be the case, as Christian alleges, that it had not been prior (Annapolis Fire Department) practice to skip a top-ranked candidate on the standing list...