Tag Archives: defamation

Former Wisconsin Fire Chief Prevails in Defamation Suit

A fire chief who was fired in 2016 following allegations that he told a female subordinate that she should resign when their affair ended, has prevailed in a defamation suit against her. Former Waukesha Fire Chief Jesse Alba was initially demoted and then fired after Mary Jo Hoppe accused him of sexual harassment

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Florida Chief Alleges Wide-Ranging Conspiracy To Fire Him

A Florida fire chief who was fired last year is alleging that elected officials, firefighter union members, and others engaged in a wide-ranging plot to destroy his ability to lead the department. Former Naples Fire Chief Steve McInerny filed both a civil claim and a lawsuit...

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Delaware Fire Company Sued For Third Time By Same Member

A volunteer fire company in Delaware is being sued for the third time by a female member who now claims she has been retaliated against on account of her previous suits. Wendy Lowe is suing the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. alleging breach of contract, due process, defamation, and civil conspiracy

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Settlement Announced in Oregon Wrongful Termination Suit

An Oregon fire chief who filed a wrongful termination suit has agreed to accept a $55,000 settlement. Chief Mike Balzer claims he was terminated by Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District because his wife posted comments on social media that were critical of the district’s board.

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Applicant Loses YCMTSU Suit Against New Haven

A YCMTSU case we discussed two years ago has come to a conclusion with Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that a firefighter candidate who has a conditional offer of employment does not have a sufficient property interest to establish a right to due process.

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Billy G Prevails In Illinois Lawsuit

A defamation suit against one of the biggest names in the fire service was tossed out of court today. Chief Billy Goldfeder was sued last year by an Illinois non-profit, Remembrance Rescue Project, over content he published in an email in 2014

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Oregon Chief Claims He Was Fired Over Wife’s Social Media Postings

Today’s burning question: Can I be fired from my job as a fire chief because my wife criticizes my bosses on social media? Answer: Chances are your bosses will find another reason to fire you if they were upset about your wife’s social media activities. That is what former Cannon Beach Fire Chief Mike Balzer claims happened to him.

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NJ Lieutenant Suing Fire Chief For Harassment and Defamation

A New Jersey lieutenant is suing his fire chief and fire department claiming he was harassed, defamed, and accused of committing a criminal offense while recuperating from a spinal cord injury. Lt. Ronald Laube claims that Clifton Chief Vincent Colavitti ordered him to work modified duty against his neurosurgeon’s orders and falsely accused him of driving a snow plow while he was on sick leave.

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Texas Chief Sues for Wrongful Termination and Defamation

A Texas fire chief who was terminated for allegedly overspending his budget, has filed suit alleging wrongful termination and defamation. Fire Chief Landon Smith was terminated earlier this month by the City of Van Alstyne because he allegedly overspent the fire department's budget by $180,000.

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Post Accident Drug Testing in the Headlines

Today’s burning question: After an apparatus accident last week and I was sent for routine drug/alcohol testing. The local newspaper wrote an article about the accident naming me as the driver and indicating that I was sent for drug testing. The way it was written implied I was sent because I did something wrong.

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Michigan Chief Sues for Wrongful Termination

A Michigan fire chief who was wrongly accused of criminal misconduct and terminated, has filed suit against a township alleging defamation, malicious prosecution, and retaliation for testifying in an earlier case. Marquette Township fire chief Bob Sims was suspended last December and terminated in February, 2015.

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