By Mark Morey
The Yakima Herald-Republic
EAST VALLEY, Wash. — An East Valley fire chief who left amid internal strife is now suing two district commissioners and several others over his ouster.
Warren Gay alleges the defendants created a hostile workplace and defamed his character, according to the lawsuit filed last week in Yakima County Superior Court.
Gay blamed the run-ins on his efforts to change what he called an entrenched culture while implementing changes requested by the commissioners. His critics said he was heavy-handed.
A lawsuit by Gay had been considered a possibility since before he was put on administrative leave in early 2008. He remained there until August 2008 when his contract expired, although the lawsuit alleges there were five years left on its term.
The internal problems that developed between Gay, volunteer firefighters, career staff and the commissioners began just months after he started the job in 2006.
Both sides were initially working on a settlement, but those talks apparently collapsed.
He earlier filed a legal claim against the district that requested $750,000. The lawsuit does not specify damages.
The lawsuit names commissioners Les Riel and Joe Gendron, along with Deputy Chief Mike Riel, who is Les Riel’s brother; and several other district employees or firefighters.
Commissioner Dan McNulty is not named in the lawsuit. He had supported Gay’s return as chief, based on an outside review that found he was able to lead the department as long as he completed training to improve his management style.
District attorney Brian Snure declined to comment on the lawsuit before discussing it with the commissioners and their insurance carrier. However, he noted that the district had denied many of the same allegations when they were raised in a related 2008 legal complaint.
That case, filed by Gay over the district’s handling of personnel records, was eventually dismissed for lack of action.
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