Voters to Consider Settlement of Connecticut Fire Chief’s lawsuit

The settlement of a federal court lawsuit brought by a former fire chief claiming disability discrimination is now in the hands of taxpayers who will vote to approve or reject the settlement next week at a special fire district meeting.

Former Thompsonville Fire District Fire Chief Frank Alaimo filed suit last year claiming he was the victim of disability discrimination, failure to pay wages, and false light invasion of privacy following his suspension for arriving late at a fatal fire in 2014. Here is more on that part of the story.

The parties have reached a settlement in the case that calls for Chief Alaimo to receive $15,000 per year over the next 10 fiscal years to settle his claims. In order for that settlement to become final, it must be approved by the voters of the Thompsonville Fire District.

The meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday, April 4, 2016. Should the voters reject the settlement, the case will proceed towards trial.

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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