The first female battalion chief for the Salt Lake City Fire Department has filed a whistleblower lawsuit in 3rd District Court against the municipality, claiming workplace retaliation for highlighting practices by top brass that include alleged fraud, state fire-code violations and cover-ups.
Martha Ellis, a 21-year veteran firefighter, was demoted May 3 to captain from her previous position of division chief of logistics. She also had served as the city's fire marshal.
The suit says that in March 2015, she uncovered information that suggested the department was allowing members of its executive team to pursue outside endeavors on city time without disclosure or pay reduction. The complaint also says certain employees were paid for a 40-hour week when they worked three 12-hour shifts.