Former Jackson County Fire Chief Charles Hanley Threatens to Sue the Department

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — Former Jackson County Fire Chief, Charles Hanley, who was fired in August amid allegations of inappropriate workplace conduct, has retaliated with a threat to sue the fire department.

Five More Allegations Are Under Investigation

Jackson County Fire District 5 (JCFD5) found that three allegations against Hanley were sustained – covering up sexual harassment, bullying, and interfering with a government promotion board. Five more allegations against the former fire chief are still under investigation.

JCFD5 Demonstrated Callous Indifference to Former Fire Chief

Last Friday, Interim Fire Chief Aaron Bustard and the District 5 board of directors received a notice of intent to sue if a solution cannot be reached. Hanley’s attorney, David Higgs, says that JCFD5 ‘has demonstrated callous indifference’ to his client’s wellbeing by subjecting him to ‘discriminatory and retaliatory conduct.’

The notice criticizes the investigation into Hanley’s conduct as biased and motivated towards his dismissal, rather than objective fact-finding.

Chairman of JCDG5’s board of directors, Greg Costanzo, described the notice as ‘unfortunate,’ adding that the board intends to serve the 23,000 residents living in Phoenix, Talent, and unincorporated Ashland.

JCFD5 is battling a $3 million shortfall and to keep it afloat recently signed an agreement with a nearby district.

Mitigating Factors in Hanley’s Favor

Mitigating facts in Hanley’s favor, according to his attorney, is that he had a positive impact on the district, such as his leadership skills during the Almeda Fire and the pandemic.

During his tenure as chief, Hanley oversaw an investigation into misconduct allegations among district firefighters that included bullying, intimidation, harassment, and insubordination.

According to the notice by Hanley’s attorney, the initial investigation substantiated ‘attempts by certain JCFD5 employees’ to sabotage apprentices seeking employment in Jackson County and nearby districts.

JCFD5 Releases Inaccurate and Inflammatory Allegations

The notice also accuses IAFF Local 2596 president, Brady Graham, of ‘inappropriate discriminatory and retaliatory behavior,’ threatening to have Hanley removed as the fire chief. The notice states that JCDF5 ‘brazenly continues to release inaccurate and inflammatory allegations of misconduct and financial malfeasance” against Hanley.

The notice claims that Union leadership members ‘and several accused employees disrupted the official investigations, refused to cooperate or follow accepted dispute resolution practices, and attempted to conspire’ to remove Hanley from his position as fire chief.

Graham says the notice contains ‘a multitude’ of misinformation and that he is looking forward to hearing the response of JCFD5’s legal counsel to Hanley’s accusations.