A lawsuit filed in federal court by a Binghamton police lieutenant claims he's been subjected to discrimination in the department because of his Hispanic origin.

The legal action by Lieutenant Alan Quinones names the city, Mayor Richard David, Police Chief Joseph Zikuski and assistant chief John Ryan.

Quinones was hired as a patrolman by the city police department in 2008. He's been a lieutenant since 2016.

Quinones contends he was passed over for a promotion to captain in favor of a white candidate even though he was more qualified.

The lawsuit asserts Quinones has been "consistently and systematically the victim of discriminatory treatment based no his natural origin."

Last summer, a black officer - Christopher Hamlett - filed a claim of discrimination, alleging he was denied an assignment to the department's detective division.

Quinones maintains he's been subject to retaliation because he had provided statements to support Hamlett's claim.

Binghamton attorney Ronald Benjamin said the lawsuit brought by Quinones was filed Monday in U.S District Court for the Northern District of New York.

A federal lawsuit alleging racial discrimination in the Binghamton Police Department was filed on November 25, 2019. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
A federal lawsuit alleging racial discrimination in the Binghamton Police Department was filed on November 25, 2019. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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