Former Alameda Fire Chief Ordered to Reimburse City $260k

Posted by: Curt Varone October 28, 2013 1 Comment

Former Alameda, California fire chief David Kapler has been ordered to pay the city over $260,000 for the costs of defending against his failed wrongful termination lawsuit.

Kapler was threatened with termination after he was filmed by firefighters fueling his personally owned BMW at Alameda city fuel pumps. He resigned and filed a wrongful termination suit claiming that he was given approval to use city fuel by the prior administration.

Alameda County Superior Court ruled against Kapler, and the ruling was upheld on appeal. Last Friday Alameda County Superior Court granted the city’s request that Kapler be responsible for paying the costs of defending the suit, ordering him to pay $260,585.39.

Here is more on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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