Ex-YPD chief sues YSU for discrimination

YOUNGSTOWN — A former Youngstown police chief filed a federal lawsuit that accuses Youngstown State University of engaging in race discrimination.

Jimmy Hughes, whose attorney filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court, claims that the university refused to consider his application to be the university’s police chief.

The university named Shawn Varso its chief of police effective May 1 of last year.

The lawsuit claims the university did not advertise its intention to hire a new police chief and did not post the vacancy in a lawful manner.

Last April, the university had interviews and public forums with three candidates after what it called an “extensive” search.

The lawsuit claims Varso does not have Hughes' experience, training and qualifications.

The suit asks for no less than $75,000 in compensatory damages along with punitive damages.