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WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- There is still controversy over the April 2007 fire that destroyed the historic Eastern Market building. The disagreement over how the fire began has landed two firefighters in hot water. Those firefighters are now suing the Fire Chief and the District of Columbia.
Firefighters Gregory Bowyer and Gerald Pennington are bringing a lawsuit against Fire Chief Dennis Rubin, Fire Marshal Gary Palmer Junior and the District.
They say their disagreements with the department over the Eastern Market fire caused them to be reassigned to the Community Services Unit in August 2008.
"We had information of fires occurring in this community that were consistent of a serial arsonist," said Bowyer.
The lawsuit alleges rampant racism in the fire department; specifically that rules to join the Fire Investigations Unit were relaxed so that more white firefighters could qualify.
Bowyer and Pennington even say the Internal Affairs office wanted them to dig up dirt on some of their colleagues. When they refused, they say, there was retribution.
But the DC Office of the Attorney General has questioned Bowyer's integrity. An October letter obtained by 9NEWS NOW sent by Deputy Attorney General Robert Hildum to the US Attorney's Office states that Bowyer gave testimony that was untruthful in one case, and even contradicted his own sworn testimony in another.
"That's absolutely not true," Bowyer responded.
Pennington has come under fire; he's been accused of misrepresenting himself as a certified fire investigator. Pennington says he is certified through the National Pro Board Fire Service Qualifications System.
"It's a governing body of which all fire investigators no matter where they get their certification, it's reported back to the pro board," Pennington said.
The lawsuit does not seek a specific amount of money. Instead, it leaves it up to the court to place a value on lost wages, lost career opportunities, anxiety and the host of other complaints made by Bowyer and Pennington.
Fire Chief Dennis Rubin has issued this statement:
"The allegations made by Gregory Bowyer and Gerald Pennington are completely baseless. In fact, the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives investigation also determined that the cause and origin of the Eastern Market and Mount Pleasant fires cannot be determined at this time. We've referred this matter to the Office of the Inspector General for investigation and are confident that it too will conclude that these allegations are meritless."
