28-04-2025
Ex-Rock Valley College officer awarded settlement for discrimination case
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A former Rock Valley College police officer has reached a settlement with the school over claims that the college discriminated and retaliated against him for military leave.
Vincent Lara was in 2018 after Rock Valley College's Police Department suspected that he was lying on his time sheets while serving as a U.S. Army master sergeant.
The charges against him were dropped in 2019, and his record was expunged.
Lara sued the college in 2022, alleging violations of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act and arguing that he was the subject of harassment that led to a loss of career opportunities and constructive discharge from the military.
Lara is a veteran of the Iraq War and a former military police officer who served with both the Rockford and Winnebago County police departments.
'No service member should face discrimination for answering the call to duty,' Lara said in a press release.
Lara was represented by Maher Legal Services, headed by retired Lt. Col. John Maher.
Under the terms of the settlement, which remain confidential, Rock Valley did not admit to any wrongdoing.
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