Open Records Law Suit in California

Posted by: Curt Varone November 25, 2009 0

The Anderson Fire Protection District, in Anderson, California has been sued by The Record Searchlight to obtain an investigator's report on the conduct of its former fire chief. Attorney Walter McNeill, filed the lawsuit on behalf of the newspaper in Shasta County Superior Court seeking documents regarding  the district's investigation into ex-Fire Chief Joe Piccinini.

The Record Searchlight had previously sought information under the state's Public Records Act about the investigative report regarding allegations of mismanagement and misconduct of Piccinini, but were unsuccessful. Piccinini was placed on paid administrative leave in May, and resigned on July 1. The lawsuit alleges that the report is a public record, but fire protection officials say it falls under an exemption in the Public Records Act.

Neither Piccinini nor the fire board had offered an explanation for the resignation or the findings of the investigation, which cost the city $41,000.

More stories. More.

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.
© Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved. | FireLawBlog.com & Curt Varone | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
x

Check Also

FDNY Prevails in Trademark Case With Medic

The US Second Circuit Court of Appeals has handed down a ruling in favor of FDNY concluding that a trademark owned by an FDNY paramedic in the name of "Medical Special Operations Conference" cannot be enforce because it is descriptive.

Family of St. Louis Firefighter LODD Files Suit

The family of a St. Louis firefighter who died in 2022, has reportedly filed suit against the manufacturer of his SCBA alleging that the failure of his PASS device contributed to his death. Benjamin Polson died in a house fire on January 13, 2022.