San Gabriel Valley : FIRE CHIEF’S FIRING

Former Pasadena Fire Chief Kaya Pekerol filed a wrongful termination claim against the city, alleging that City Manager Philip Hawkey and other city officials engaged in a campaign to discredit him.

Pekerol was fired June 12 after a longstanding dispute with Hawkey and other city officials. Hawkey declined to say why he was dismissed, but has said that Pekerol was previously placed on suspension because of performance issues. Pekerol claims that his dismissal was in retaliation to a libel suit he filed against the city in May, as well as a grievance he filed with the City Council in October, 1994. Pekerol’s claim seeks $10 million in damages.

City officials could not be reached for comment.