Applicant sues after policing job offered to young black woman

A white male applicant is suing after a policing job was offered to a younger, black female applicant he claims was less qualified.

Lance A. Cappel filed suit against the State of Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development June 24 in federal court in New Orleans.

Cappel, a former police officer, says he was P.O.S.T.-certified when he applied for job with the Department at the Slidell Scales. Cappel says the job posting stated P.O.S.T.-certified candidates would receive preferred consideration. Cappel says he received the highest score from the five-member interview panel. He believes an offer is customarily made to the applicant with the highest score.

According to Cappel, instead, the department hired a young, black female who was not P.O.S.T. certified and had less qualifications than him.

"Captain Nash refused to hire complainant because of complainant's race (Caucasian), his sex (male) and age (over 40 years of age)," the lawsuit reads.

The plaintiff claims the defendant's actions constitute race, sex and age discrimination in violation of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and Louisiana's anti-discrimination statutes.

Cappel is seeking damages for lost future income and employment benefits, loss of past income and employment benefits, humiliation and embarrassment, mental anguish, compensatory damages, interest, attorney's fees and court costs.

Baton Rouge attorney William M. McGoey of Casteel & McGoey is representing Cappel. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:10cv01810