CLAYTON, Mo. (AP/KMOX) - A top St. Louis County official is blasting legal staff for arguing that gay discrimination in Missouri is legal in a case in which nearly $20 million was awarded to a police sergeant.St. Louis County Executive Sam Page said Wednesday in a statement that he was "horrified and surprised that argument was used'' in Sgt. Keith Wildhaber's case. Wildhaber says he was told to "tone down his gayness" and passed up for promotion 23 times.
Legal expert, attorney Brad Young says while Missouri law does not prevent discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation, it's prohibited under federal law.
"But that's all up in the air now because of three cases at the Supreme Court that were just argued on October 8, we should have a decision on that by June of next year," Young says.
Young adds the defense may have been to say legally they did nothing wrong because it's not in violation of Missouri law. But Young says that's the kind of tactic that inflames jurors.