Texas Firefighter Sues Department; Claims Theft Investigation Damaged His Reputation
His resume was stunning: Employee of the Year in 1997, Firefighter of the Year in 1997, a heroism award in 1999 and the first and only Merit Achievement Award in 2002.
But in August, Meroney became the focus of a theft investigation within the department. City officials gave him the option of resigning without a negative recommendation to prospective employers or facing theft charges. He left the department Sept. 30.
Now, Meroney has filed a lawsuit against Colleyville, saying city officials have damaged his reputation by spreading false information about him. In the lawsuit, Meroney denies any wrongdoing. The lawsuit does not provide details of the theft investigation, and officials declined to comment about it.
Meroney, of Granbury, also declined to comment Friday on the lawsuit, which was filed Nov. 18 in Fort Worth.
A spokesman in the office of Meroney's attorney, Andrew Ottaway of Granbury, said Friday that Ottaway would not comment on a pending lawsuit.
Colleyville City Attorney Ross Foster also declined to comment.
The lawsuit names Colleyville as the defendant and seeks to stop city officials from giving Meroney a bad recommendation. It also asks the city to pay court and attorney fees.
According to the lawsuit, Meroney was a firefighter from January 1995 until September.
He received the EMS Provider of the Year award in 2001 and 2002, and was a field training officer from 1999 to December 2003, according to the lawsuit.
Meroney was in charge of managing all emergency medical services inventory, the lawsuit says.
He started the public access defibrillation program in the city and wrote grants for the program, the lawsuit says.
Meroney also taught cardiopulmonary resuscitation to employees, and assisted with educating and training new employees and paramedics, the lawsuit says.
According to the lawsuit, city officials have damaged Meroney's reputation and ability to get a job by giving him a bad recommendation. City officials and Meroney declined Friday to comment on what was being said about Maroney.
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