PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- State Fire Marshal Irving Owens is being sued by two employees who say he tried to take credit for their work following the Station nightclub fire.
In their lawsuit, Nicholas Pellegrino and Anthony Marsella said Owens and Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Richard James removed their names from the investigation report on the Station fire and added Owens' name.
Marsella told the Providence Journal that their names were restored after he and Pellegrino complained.
The two men and a third worker, Joseph Barroso, are suing Owens and others for harassment and denial of their civil rights. The suit says Marsella and Pellegrino were harassed for being whistleblowers. It says Owens banned Barroso from doing fire inspections in Woonsocket and threatened to deny him promotions.
In addition to Owens, the suit names James, chief deputy fire marshal R. Michael DiMascolo and the state Department of Administration.
Jeff Neal, spokesman for Gov. Don Carcieri, said he could not comment on the suit because state lawyers have not yet reviewed the allegations.
Carcieri has not said whether he will reappoint Owens, whose term as fire marshal is over. Marsella has applied for the job.
Information from: The Providence Journal
Copyright 2005 Associated Press
