A former Graton firefighter is settling her case with the district. Two years ago, Sapphire Alvarez sued the Graton Fire Protection District for failing to act on discrimination and retaliation she experienced at the department, especially from fire chief Bill Bullard. She claims she was passed up for promotion, shunned by her mostly male colleagues, belittled, and had her mistakes blown out of proportion by Chief Bullard. In February, the case was settled for $535-thousand dollars. Insurance paid $150-thousand of the settlement. Alvarez told the Press Democrat, quote, “I feel like I’m the one who’s been punished, and no one else has. I had to step away from the position I loved. Nothing has happened to anyone else.” Bullard says he bore no animosity toward Alvarez.