Firefighters best known for passing out candy to children at Christmas are embroiled in a battle with the city of La Verne and their department’s management. The feud is so fierce, it’s resulted in two lawsuits and has prompted the cash-strapped city to spend money on an outside lawyer.
La Verne Firefighters’ Association, Local 3624 alleges Fire Chief Peter Jankowski has targeted union members in retaliation for supporting the mayor’s opponent during the 2017 campaign. First they took the step of issuing a vote of no confidence against him. Then they sued.
The initial 44-page suit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on Dec. 4. It was amended Feb. 22 with 55 more pages, asking the case go to a jury trial. The union is seekingin excess of $1 million for mental and emotional injuries, distress, anxiety and humiliation.