Former Sacramento Fire Chief Seeks $10 Million for Wrongful Termination

Posted by: Curt Varone September 13, 2022 0

The former fire chief in Sacramento is claiming that his termination earlier this year was the result of retaliation by the city’s mayor.  Gary Loesch claims that Mayor Howard Chan not only wrongfully terminated him on May 26, 2022, but intentionally exposed him to COVID in retaliation for having challenged earlier discipline.  He is seeking $10,000,000 in damages.

A copy of the complaint is not available, but will be posted here. News media reports about the filing are unclear about whether an actual lawsuit has been filed, or whether it was simply an administrative claim.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 40 years of fire service experience and 30 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) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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