By Jeremy P. Kelley
Dayton Daily News
DAYTON, Ohio — Dayton’s Civil Service Board on Monday found Dayton Fire Department Lt. Brian Monaghan “not guilty of the charges and specifications” for which he was fired Aug. 9, and ordered the firing overturned.
Monaghan was fired after a female paramedic who was his subordinate accused him of exposing himself to her and making sexually suggestive comments April 4, according to city documents.
Monaghan, a 23-year veteran of the Dayton Fire Department, was placed on paid administrative leave April 23. After a city investigation, Fire Chief Herbert Redden and City Manager Tim Riordan issued an order that Monaghan be discharged for sexual harassment and lying to investigators.
The Civil Service Board heard Monaghan’s appeal Nov. 28 and 29 and issued its ruling Monday.
“No eyewitnesses, other than the complainant and the appellant, observed what really happened inside appellant’s office,” the board’s ruling said. “The board is unable, to the extent required to satisfy the burden of proof, to determine the credibility of either the appellant or the complainant. Accordingly, the board is unable to find sufficient facts have been established to support the charges.”
Civil Service Board members Talbert Grooms and Betty Toney heard the case, with the third member, Lela Estes, absent.
Civil Service Board rulings can be appealed. City of Dayton spokesman Tom Biedenharn said Monday the city has not decided whether it will appeal, and he would not comment further on the case.
Copyright 2013 Dayton Newspapers, Inc.