Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone

Tag Archives: Rafael Balderas

Texas Firefighter Loses Suit Over Discrimination and Due Process

A McAllen, Texas firefighter who was fired twice and reinstated both times has lost a discrimination and due process lawsuit against his department and fire chief. Last February, Robert Vargus sued McAllen and Chief Rafael Balderas alleging discrimination and harassment on account of age and disability and §1983 due process violations.

Texas Firefighter Twice Fired Goes On The Offensive

A Texas firefighter who was fired twice and reinstated both times is suing his fire chief and the department for discrimination and violation of his due process rights. Robert Vargus was fired by the McAllen Fire Department in 2011 following an apparatus backing mishap in 2010 that was not properly reported. Vargus, who was neither driving nor in-charge, was reinstated...

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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