Firefighter files lawsuit, says firing was retaliation

Whistleblower says he was shunned, fired after missing a holiday shift

A veteran Harris County firefighter is suing his former department, claiming that his bosses fired him for missing a holiday shift as retaliation for whistleblowing on illegal behavior by the department’s leadership.

The state district court lawsuit alleges that Jeramie Casiano, a lieutenant in the Harris County Emergency Services District 48’s fire department, first warned in January 2017 of “highly concerning and illegal practices,” including the misuse of government property and services by the ESD’s leadership.

The suit alleges that the board’s president, Marshall Kramer, responded, saying the board would investigate the claims — but the claims were never investigated.

The lawsuit does not detail the specifics of the misconduct he claims took place at the fire department.

Reached by phone, Kramer said he couldn’t discuss the suit in detail.

“The allegations are absolutely ridiculous,” he said.

The suit contends that soon after Casiano shared his concerns with management, his co-workers began shunning him.

Over the following months, Casiano continued raising concerns about the situation.

Then in December, according to the lawsuit, Casiano asked co-workers to pick up a shift for him just before Christmas and was ignored. Casiano warned his bosses he would not be able to work Dec. 23.

“Although Mr. Casiano attempted to avoid disruption to this shift as much as possible, he understood that there could be a disciplinary write-up for failing to have another firefighter cover his shift, because Mr. Casiano had witnessed instances of other firefighters not showing up for duty without covering their shift that retained employment with ESD 48,” the lawsuit notes.

When Casiano failed to report to work that day, his superiors declared he was “Absent without Leave,” and fired him. During an eight-year career, he had never previously been written up or disciplined, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit seeks Casiano’s reinstatement at ESD 48, along with backpay, attorneys’ fees and other associated costs.

Neither Casiano, nor his attorney, Jenna Castleman, could be reached for comment Thursday morning.

Ira Coveler, the attorney representing ESD 48, said the suit was the work of an “unhappy” former employee.

“The district denies all the allegations,” he said. “In the end we’re going to prevail in this lawsuit, and Mr. Casiano has no rightful claim against the district.”

ESD 48 Chief Jeff Hevey could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.