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Texas city to appeal reinstatement of firefighter fired more than 10 years ago

The lengthy, ongoing legal battle stems from a dropped aggravated assault charge in 2008

By Laura French

BEAUMONT, Texas — A Texas city says it will appeal a judge’s decision to reinstate a firefighter for the second time in more than 10 years.

Beaumont Firefighter James Mathews, who is currently in a state of indefinite suspension, was fired in 2008 after an off-duty incident where he allegedly tried to detain a man he suspected of drunk driving, according to 12 News. Mathews was charged with aggravated assault, but the charges were later dropped.

An independent hearing examiner ruled in 2010 that Mathews should be reinstated but, in 2012, a second examiner ruled against Mathews, leading him to be suspended as the legal battle continued, according to the Beaumont Enterprise.

Last week, a district court judge reversed the 2012 decision, once again reinstating the firefighter and ordering that he be paid back for the time he was suspended.

In his judgment, Jefferson County District Court Judge Justin Sanderson wrote that the second examiner’s decision was “procured by fraud, collusion and other wrongful acts.”

The city said it will be appealing Sanderson’s decision, putting Mathews’ reinstatement on hold as the court battle resumes.

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