A new lawsuit accuses Augusta government of forcing a firefighter to retire due to his age.
The suit, filed in U.S. District Court this week by retired Augusta Fire Department lieutenant Anthony Galvin, 55, contends city officials told Galvin if he did not retire by Aug. 1, he would be fired.
Department spokesman Michael Meyers said the city had not been served with the suit Thursday and does not comment on pending litigation.
"As is customary, this matter will be handled by legal staff with all appropriate defenses being asserted," he said.
According to the lawsuit, prior to being told to retire, Galvin was falsely accused of threatening a fire sergeant with a weapon. The sergeant later recanted his accusation and received a reprimand. Galvin was cleared but later city Fire Chief Chris James rescinded the sergeant's reprimand, the suit said.
Two other firefighters were pressured by Deputy Chief Wayne Taylor to substantiate the sergeant's claims, but refused. One later signed a statement Taylor had written and instructed him to sign, the suit said.
Galvin retired shortly after being demoted in June. He was replaced by a lieutenant in her mid-30s, and since he is in his mid-50s, is protected by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the suit said. Galvin had no prior disciplinary actions during his 28-year career with the department, according to the lawsuit.
Galvin is a member of Augusta Professional Firefighters Association Local 3357, a group that historically has been critical of department management. This fall the association sent letters to city officials complaining of unsafe training and procedures not being followed. Meyers has said the union's allegations were either false or under investigation.
In November, Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis called a news conference to voice support for the department and said he'd host meetings the week of Nov. 26 to have "honest, respectful dialogue" about the concerns, but those meetings have not taken place.
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