The Charlotte City Council met in closed session Monday night to discuss the leak of a confidential memo about a firefighter and whether Fire Chief Jon Hannan had any responsibility.
The March 4 memo was from City Manager Ron Carlee to firefighter Marty Puckett, the vice president of the Charlotte Firefighters Association Local 660, which has feuded with Hannan over how the department has been managed.
In the memo, Carlee told Puckett that it was “unlawful” for Puckett to work as an unpaid intern for City Council member Claire Fallon. The memo was also copied to City Attorney Bob Hagemann and Hannan.
WBTV news reported on the memo days after it was sent to Puckett.
The memo is considered part of Puckett’s personnel file, and it is not open to public inspection under N.C. Public Records Law. Puckett could release the memo, but he said he did not do that.
He has called for an investigation. At a March 14 council meeting, City Council member John Autry also urged the city to investigate the leaked memo, which he said was a serious breach of Puckett’s personnel file.
If Hannan was involved, Carlee could discipline him. That could include termination.
Prior to the closed session meeting, firefighters packed the council’s meeting room in support of Hannan.