Bob Harvey, the former Black Forest Fire Rescue Protection District chief, has sued the fire district for $1 million, claiming the department wrongfully terminated him in 2014, defamed him and caused emotional harm.
The chief’s departure in June 2014 was mysterious. He resigned after a prolonged sick leave due to post-traumatic stress disorder after the Black Forest fire in 2013.
The Black Forest fire board said in an Aug. 20, 2014, meeting that it had not heard from Harvey in 11 weeks and his refusal to communicate amounted to a public resignation. The board said it had not fired Harvey but was searching for a new chief.
The lawsuit claims Harvey was fired after he sought to use employee benefits, such as vacation and sick leave.
The Black Forest fire district claims that Harvey missed his legal window in which to file — 180 days after “injury” was done. The response to Harvey’s lawsuit, filed Sept. 21, asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit.
Court documents reveal a bitter battle between Harvey and members of the district board.
Harvey was investigated and cleared of allegations from the board that he misused fire department funds when he used a credit card to pay a psychiatrist and replace lost equipment and manuals.
The lawsuit names the Black Forest fire department, the Black Forest Volunteer Fire Rescue Members Association, former El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa and “John/Jane Doe” as defendants. Lawyers for Maketa requested an extension for filing a response. In an e-mail to The Gazette, Harvey declined to comment.
