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Sick Police Officer Fired, Files Suit

A former police officer is suing Orange City because  was fired when he requested time off so he could get chemotherapy for his testicular cancer, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports.
 
In a lawsuit filed in federal court, Nicholas Giampietro, 27, says his employer discriminated against him and refused to accommodate him, as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
 
Documents show city officials decided to fire him because keeping the job open was causing a "hardship" on the police department. Covering for Giampietro was forcing other officers to work extended shifts, adding to overtime costs, the city argued. It also said his absence left a gap in public safety.

Originally founded in December 2006 as an independent grassroots publication dedicated to coverage of health issues in Florida, Health News Florida was acquired by WUSF Public Media in September 2012.