The Town of Surfside Beach denied allegations that fire officials discriminated against volunteer firefighter Christopher Gallagher after a captain and fire chief allegedly said, “We’re not hiring someone who can’t read.”
Gallagher filed a lawsuit in June against the town alleging he did not receive a promotion to fire engineer due to having dyslexia, documents show.
According to the lawsuit, Gallagher only told his direct supervisors of his condition, and was told it would not be discussed with anyone else. While taking a test for the position, a coworker allegedly yelled, “That guy is an idiot! What’s he got? Dyslexia?”
Despite passing the physical test and having education qualifications required for the position, the fire department allegedly hired a candidate who failed the written and physical test, according to the lawsuit. The suit argues that Gallagher was the most qualified candidate for the job.