A fire chief says he battled Christian discrimination. Supreme Court declines to take his case

Published 10 March 2025 WASHINGTON – Ronald Hittle was laid off as fire chief of Stockton, Calif., after facing allegations of misconduct, including an anonymous letter describing him as a “corrupt, racist, lying, religious fanatic.” One of the issues that led to his termination: he had attended, with other managers, a church-sponsored summit for Christian leaders during work hours. Hittle tried to sue, arguing he was fired because of his Christian religion, but lower courts said he didn’t have a strong enough case to go to trial. Hittle, though, contends the test the Supreme Court established more than 50 years ago for evaluating workplace discrimination allegations needs to be reexamined. The Supreme Court on Monday declined to take his case, skirting a potential showdown over religion in in the workplace during a year that the Court is testing the limits of religion in schools, and religion-related tax exemptions. Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch said they would have heard the appeal. Thomas wrote that Hittle had plenty evidence of discriminatory intent, and his case would have allowed the court to offer clear guidance on how to determine when workplace discrimination cases can move forward. More: Supreme Court appears likely to side with straight woman in `reverse discrimination' case Leadership training at a Christian summit Hittle was fired in 2011 after city investigator concluded Hittle lacked effectiveness and judgment, failed to report time off, engaged in favoritism and had attended with other managers a religious event while on the job, among other findings. The event was a church-sponsored summit for Christian leaders, which Hittle said he went to because the city directed him to get leadership training.