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St. Louis Police Officer Sues Again After Winning Lawsuit

St. Louis Arch
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A white St. Louis police sergeant awarded nearly $800,000 over racial discrimination has filed another federal lawsuit claiming he's been retaliated against for the earlier win in court.

Sgt. David Bonenberger sued in 2012 claiming a position he sought was awarded to a black woman he claimed was less qualified. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that a federal jury in 2013 awarded him $620,000 in damages and $172,000 in attorney's fees.

His new lawsuit, filed Friday in federal court in St. Louis, claims police officials retaliated against him for suing the first time, violated his right to speak out about the discrimination and violated his right to sue. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.

A city spokeswoman declined to comment, saying the city hadn't been served with the lawsuit.

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