Boston Police Department Settles Gender Discrimination Lawsuit for $2.4 Million

Beth Donovan, the first female deputy superintendent, to retire as part of the settlement after facing demotion and retaliation.

Beth Donovan, the first woman to reach the rank of deputy superintendent in the Boston Police Department, has reached a $2.4 million settlement in her gender discrimination lawsuit against the department.
Donovan was demoted to sergeant in September 2018, after filing a complaint, and was put on administrative and medical leave due to injuries resulting from discriminatory and retaliatory treatment.
Donovan's troubles began in 2017 when she initiated an internal affairs investigation against a fellow officer over a graduation party incident, which led to retaliation against her, including spreading rumors that she had a drinking problem and taking away some of her deputy superintendent responsibilities.
The settlement comes just four days before the case was set to go to trial in US District Court in Boston.
As part of the settlement, Donovan will be required to retire from the department.