Embattled Fire Chief Files Libel Suit Against Pasadena

Embattled Pasadena Fire Chief Kaya Pekerol has filed a lawsuit against the city of Pasadena and City Manager Phil Hawkey; Pekerol is alleging that he was libeled, slandered and had his privacy rights violated.

Pekerol, who was suspended in November over what Hawkey described as “performance issues,” returned to work in January and started the process of suing by filing claims against the city and Hawkey that sought $4.6 million in damages. As expected, the City Council rejected the claims, setting the stage for the lawsuit.

The suit, filed May 19 in Pasadena Superior Court, alleges that Pekerol was suspended over a pay dispute in which the fire chief reportedly went over Hawkey’s head and appealed directly to then-Mayor Kathryn Nack for a raise. The suit seeks an unspecified amount of monetary damages.

Pekerol’s lawyer, Harry Frank Scolinos, said he offered to settle the case out of court for an undisclosed amount, but city officials declined. “It’s unfortunate. They basically left us no alternative” but to sue, Scolinos said.

City officials could not be reached for comment on the suit.

In the past, Hawkey has declined to elaborate on the so-called performance issues that prompted Pekerol’s suspension. But records show that Pekerol’s own firefighters and the state workplace safety agency had questioned the chief’s performance.

Soon after the wildfires of October, 1993, Pasadena firefighters cast a vote of “no confidence” against the chief. Later, the state Occupational Safety and Health Administration, investigating complaints of faulty or inadequate equipment used during the wildfires and lack of training, issued eight citations against the department.

Scolinos said Pekerol was targeted for criticism by the Pasadena Firefighters Assn. in part because its members opposed the chief’s aggressive affirmative action hiring policies. Union leaders denied those allegations.