In 2009 the Supreme Court ruled that the city of New Haven, Conn., had discriminated against a group of white firefighters who, though they had earned the top scores on an advancement test, were passed over for promotion in favor of minority firefighters because the latter were deemed to have been disadvantaged by the test.

After the SCOTUS ruling, the 20 firefighters filed suit in the U.S. District Court in Connecticut seeking back pay, damages and legal fees. On July 27, they accepted a settlement from the city to the tune of $2 million for their wages and damages (from $27,000 to $1er,00 per), along with $3 million in legal fees. The city had long since promoted them according to the results of the 2003 promotional exam, which had been previously set aside

"In addition to recognizing that this resolution allows the city to move forward, I want to acknowledge the work of the New Haven firefighters who never allowed this debate to affect their performance on the fire grounds, or, with one another," said Mayor John DeStefano. "Their service to the people of New Haven and to their units has been and remains exemplary."

The settlement does not have to be approved by a judge, according to Richard  Roberts, attorney for the city.