Cost of ending Alabama discrimination suit tops $200 million

[Moloch]

MONTGOMERY, Ala. A racial discrimination lawsuit against the Alabama Department of Transportation is drawing to an end. It's lasted more than 21 years, with legal battles that cost the state more than 200 (M) million dollars and created dramatic advances for black employees.

The litigation -- costing nearly 56 (M) million dollars for attorney fees and nearly 63 (M) million in payments to employees -- has gone on so long that six different governors have been involved with it.

The original plaintiff, Johnny Reynolds, died two years ago without seeing a resolution.

Reynolds sued the Department of Transportation in May of 1985, when Gov. George C. Wallace was serving his last term.

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