Appeals court rejects lawsuit by former Delaware troopers

(AP) – A federal appeals court panel has upheld the dismissal of a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by two former Delaware State Police troopers.

Michael Whaley and Valerie Robinson, who are both black, pleaded guilty in 2011 to misdemeanor charges of theft by false pretense and official misconduct after being accused of falsifying their time sheets. A third officer, who is white, also pleaded guilty.
    
According to court records, Whaley and Robinson paid restitution and fines, forfeited their police training certifications, and retired with full pension and health benefits.
    
After retiring, they filed a lawsuit claiming they were victims of racial discrimination and retaliation.
    
The appeals court last week upheld a federal judge’s ruling granting summary judgment in favor of the state, saying there was no evidence of racial discrimination or retaliation.