Maine Chief Alleges Retaliatory Discharge

A former Maine fire chief has filed suit claiming he was fired the day after he filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission about discrimination by the town manager.

Fire Chief Norman “Buddy” Webb filed suit against the Town of Orono claiming his dismissal in 2012 was retaliatory and the result of illegal age and disability discrimination.

According to the complaint, Chief Webb was 61 at the time and having knee problems. The complaint states:

• Beginning in January 2012, the Town Manager of Defendant began making inappropriate age and disability-related inquiries of Plaintiff.
• In January 2012 Defendant’s Town Manager inquired of Plaintiff as to the current status of his knee problems, and Plaintiff informed her that he would need to have the knees replaced.
• Beginning shortly thereafter, Defendant began subjecting Plaintiff to adverse employment actions.
• On June 13, 2012, Plaintiff mailed a charge of discrimination to the MHRC to be dual filed with the MHRC and the EEOC.
• Defendant received a copy of that charge of discrimination by certified mail on June 14, 2012.

The suit was initially filed in state Superior Court last month, but was removed to federal court last week at the request of the town. It contains three counts:

I.     Age discrimination

II.    Disability Discrimination

III.   Retaliation for filing a claim with the Maine Human Rights Commission.

The complaint does not specify a dollar amount sought, but seeks compensatory damages, reinstatement and attorneys fees.

Here is a copy of the complaint: Webb v Orono

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