Ex-officer settles lawsuit over Confederate flag underwear

CHARLESTON, S.C. – A former South Carolina police officer fired after a photo of him posing in Confederate flag underwear appeared online has settled a wrongful termination lawsuit.

North Charleston city attorney Brady Hair tells the Post and Courier of Charleston Friday the state Insurance Reserve Fund is paying $55,000 to Shannon Dildine.

Dildine was fired after posting the photo online in June 2015, days after nine worshippers were shot at Charleston’s Emanuel AME Church.

In his suit against the city, Dildine said he hadn’t known shooter Dylann Roof was seen in photos glorifying the Confederate flag. Dildine, who is white, also said the city discriminated against him. He said a black officer wasn’t disciplined for posing with Black Lives Matter protesters.

The city said Dildine’s picture was inflammatory and showed poor judgment.