TOLEDO, Ohio — The first African-American woman promoted to captain in the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department has filed a lawsuit against the department and several top-ranking fire officials, alleging years of harassment, discrimination and retaliation on the job, seeking at least $1.75 million in damages.

Captain Komako Goolsby, who has served with the department since before her September 2022 promotion, claims in her civil complaint that she has faced ongoing intimidation, false accusations and unequal treatment compared to white and male colleagues.

The suit, filed in Lucas County Common Pleas Court, names the city along with Fire Chief Michael Romstadt, Assistant Chief John Kaminski, Battalion Chief Sharyl Close, Captain Kristin Tanner and several lieutenants and firefighters. It al

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