WESTMINSTER : City Raises Stakes in Fire Chief Dispute

The City Council has agreed to set aside another $100,000 to pay a Los Angeles law firm to represent the city in a dispute with Fire Chief D’Wayne Scott.

The council’s unanimous approval of the allocation brings to $150,000 the amount the city has set aside to spend on attorneys in the dispute. The firm--Liebert, Cassidy & Frierson--has been working since May, interviewing city employees about Scott’s fitness for duty. The firm is also defending the city against Scott’s lawsuit.

Scott initially sued the city for placing him on administrative leave, but a Superior Court judge referred the matter to the city’s Merit Commission on July 30. The three-member commission is a council-appointed body that makes findings on employment-related disputes between employees and the city manager. The commission makes recommendations to the council, which can overrule the city manager. If Scott is dissatisfied with the council’s decision, he may return to court.

Concern by city officials with possible problems in the chief’s job performance reportedly started when a council member heard rumors that Scott had a drinking problem. The law firm was hired to look into the matter, and Scott was ordered to undergo a psychological exam to determine his fitness for duty.

City Manager Jerry Kenny placed Scott on administrative leave May 27 after the chief refused to take the tests. Scott said that the request violated administrative procedure and his right to privacy and that the accusations against him are false.

Dissatisfaction with Scott was first expressed after his decision not to send firefighters to help during the Los Angeles riots.