KALAMAZOO TOWNSHIP, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A hispanic woman claims she was a victim of discrimination and physically assaulted while working as a Kalamazoo Township Firefighter, and that her supervisor, and the Fire Chief did nothing about it.
After an investigation that produced a 58-page report, Township Manager Dexter Mitchell fired both men, Battalion Chief Matt Mulac and Chief David Obreiter in September. On Monday night, December 5, Obreiter appealed to the Township Board to give him his job back. For 3-1/2 hours, his attorney, David Kotwicki, touted his clients long unblemished record of service.
Kotwicki says the firing has ruined his client’s life, and career.
He said OBreiter had no training on how to deal with discrimination cases and only a vague Township policy to work with when confronted with the charges from the victim.
Members of the fire department who spoke supported the chief, but community members and civil rights leaders were not so forgiving. Nichola Leah (Lee-uh) calling the attorney’s case a “word salad” saying Kotwicki never addressed the charge that the victim was not only verbally, but physically abused.
Wendy Flora read a statement from the victim, whose name has not been released.
Trustees will make their decision, possibly on the 12th, at their next regular scheduled meeting.
Reporting by: John McNeill
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