Pensions

NYC Firefighters Sue Over Public Records Violations

The president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association of New York, IAFF Local 94 has filed suit against the City of New York and Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito using the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) to publically allege that she has been “stone-walling” consideration of a pension related resolution.

Lawsuits Filed Between Fire Departments and Municipalities in Illinois and New York

Lawsuits between municipalities and fire departments in two states are in the fire law news today. In New York, the Champion Fire Department is suing the Town of Champion and the Village of West Carthage over the termination of its service agreement. In Illinois, the Village of Barrington filed suit against the Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District claiming it owes at least $1.2 million to a joint firefighters pension fund.

11th Circuit Rules Florida Assistant Chief Has No First Amendment Protection

An assistant chief who was terminated after he complained publically that the “City’s actions would negatively impact the fire department’s provision of services”, was not entitled to protection under the First Amendment, according to a ruling handed down last week by the 11th Circuit.

Tucson Medic Indicted For Sick Leave OT Fraud

A Tucson Fire Department paramedic is facing criminal charges for his role in a sick leave-overtime scam intended to pad his pension. Herbert Oxnam was indicted on four felony counts of fraud for conduct that took place on a series of dates between May and August, 2013.

Oregon Supreme Court Rules in Important Fire Fighter Disability Case

On October 30th, the Oregon Supreme Court issued its decision in John Miller, et. al., v. City of Portland, 356 Or. 402 (2014). The case has important implications for municipalities and fire fighters regarding disability benefits. The question in Miller centered on whether a municipality can change a fire fighter’s “required duties” to require the fire fighter to return to duty despite previously being deemed disabled.

Tampa Ordered to Pay $1 Million in 13th Check Pension Case

The City of Tampa has been ordered to pay $1 million in costs in a class action lawsuit filed by a retired Tampa firefighter. John Parker filed the suit claiming that in 2004 the city’s police and fire pension board failed to provide retirees with benefits under special provision known as a “13th Check Program.”

IAFF Video Expose on Looting of Public Pensions

The IAFF has produced a video explaining the issues and exploding the myths of the public pension crisis. It is a follow-up to the Matt Taibbi article in Rolling Stone Magazine - "The Looting of Pension Funds".

Lockport Retirees Sue Over Health Care Changes

The City of Lockport, New York is in the fire law news again as 71 retired firefighters and police officers filed suit alleging that the city reduced their health coverage in violation of the terms of their retirements. The city ...

Retired FDNY Firefighter Pleads Guilty in Major Fraud Case

A retired firefighter has pled guilty in a massive social security scam perpetrated by retired members of FDNY and NYPD. John Colombi pled guilty to a reduce the charge of third-degree grand larceny last month in New York Supreme Court. ...

Premature Fire Law Headlines – Where’s the Beef

There are two stories in the fire law news today that – beyond grabbing headlines – give me pause to discuss because there does not seem to be enough detail to go much beyond media reports. Both cases are bound ...

Tennessee Retirees Challenge Reduction in Cola

Two retired Chattanooga firefighters have filed a class action suit claiming the city’s attempt to cut their pensions is illegal. William Melhorn and James Gaston joined two retired Chattanooga police officers, Johnny Frazier and Reuben Salter, in filing a nine-page ...

Texas City Sues Promotional Cheaters for $1 Million

A Texas city has filed a $1 million suit against two fire officers who allegedly used high tech equipment to cheat on promotional examinations. The City of Garland filed suit against Assistant Chief Todd Peele, 43, and Captain Michael Cates, ...

Illinois Court Reverses Pension Board and Awards Firefighter Disability Pension

The Illinois Second District Appellate Court has reversed a pension board ruling that denied a disabled firefighter a disability pension. Lieutenant Gabriel Scepurek had been a firefighter/paramedic for the Village of Northbrook Fire Department for over 20 years. On May ...

Houston Sues Firefighter Pension System Claiming It’s Unconstitutional

The city of Houston has taken the drastic step of filing suit against the firefighters pension system claiming the system has become financially unsustainable. Filed today the suit names the Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund (HFRRF) as the defendant. ...

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