MySuburbanlife.com recently published an article detailing a legal action taken by four Riverside firefighters and officers against the city's disciplinary decisions. The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court, involves Firefighter A.J. Ruska, Lieutenant Thomas Bensfield, Lieutenant William Ruska, and Lieutenant Ray Williamson, who are all named as plaintiffs. The core of the lawsuit is the disciplinary actions taken following an incident that occurred after a firefighter Christmas party at a local bar in December 2013. According to the suit, the firefighters were punished for "not engaging in official business while consuming alcohol off duty at a bar." However, the complaint claims that Lieutenant William Ruska was not even present at the location during the incident. The event took place at the Sweet Spot, located at 2531 Desplaines Ave. in North Riverside. On December 14, 2013, one of the plaintiffs allegedly touched a female patron, leading to an altercation. As a result, Lieutenant William Ruska, Bensfield, and Williamson each received three-day suspensions on March 26 for failing to intervene. A memo from Fire Chief Spencer Kimura, which is part of the lawsuit, states that the firefighters were disciplined for not properly supervising a subordinate. A.J. Ruska faced additional consequences: he was suspended for three days on April 17 and later given a 21-day suspension for "conduct unbecoming" of a Riverside firefighter—violating the department’s code of conduct. The lawsuit argues that the village’s code of conduct is too vague and unconstitutional. It also claims that A.J. Ruska was treated more harshly because he failed to disclose a license suspension in February 2013. In contrast, another firefighter who also failed to disclose a DUI conviction and license suspension did not face similar penalties. Additionally, the plaintiffs allege they were denied the right to legal representation during their disciplinary hearings, which they claim violated their due process rights. The firefighters are now seeking the reversal of all disciplinary charges, compensation for lost wages and attorney fees, and the invalidation of the fire department’s code of conduct. This case highlights ongoing tensions between public safety personnel and administrative policies, raising important questions about fairness, transparency, and accountability within the department. Versatile Custom Paperboard Boxes And Folding Cartons Folding Paperboard Boxes,Paperboard Boxes Packaging,Corrugated Paperboard Boxes Jiangsu Hualong Printing Co.;Ltd , http://www.hlpackingtop.com
Firefighters file suit in Riverside