FORT WORTH – WBAP/KLIF – The State Office of Administrative hearings has issued an opinion that although former Fort Worth Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald Sr. was terminated with a general discharge, the city has proved no basis for a termination with cause. Fitzgerald’s attorney Stephen Kennedy says the opinion should leave Dr. Fitzgerald in line now for an honorable discharge. Dr. Fitzgerald now works as the Police Chief of Waterloo, Iowa.
Fitzgerald’s attorney Stephen Kennedy says Fitzgerald’s Whistleblower lawsuit will reach trial in Dallas County this year, and will include evidence as Fitzgerald claimed, that the City of Fort Worth failed at competitive bidding and directed big contracts to specific vendors. Fitzgerald had said he was probing corruption in City Hall, and was to have met with the FBI the day he was fired.
The city claimed Fitgerald placed his own interests above that of Fort Worth’s when he applied for the Chief’s position in Baltimore, and was fired after he turned down an offer to resign.
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