The Board of Alders received two requests Monday night to investigate Assistant Fire Chief Patrick Egan’s management practices and work capabilities.
One letter, from the Greater New Haven NAACP, with support from the state NAACP branch, asked the city to authorize an independent investigation into whether Egan “engaged in impermissible discriminatory and harassing employment practices.” The second letter, sent anonymously from “Firefighters Interested in Restoring Excellence,” asked for an investigation into department workings after alleged mishandling of the Aug. 25 fire at Delaney’s Restaurant and Tap Room.
Firefighter Aaron Brantley was fired in June, after being convicted on attempted bribery charges. The NAACP alleges Egan violated HIPPA laws to get confidential information from Brantley’s doctor concerning a work-related injury in 2011. An in-house investigation in 2012 concluded there was no wrongdoing. The letter asks the help of the Public Safety Committee to bring about an independent investigation.
Board of Alders President Jorge Perez said the board does not plan to do anything about the anonymous letter. Under city charter, the Fire Commission, not the board, is responsible, he said. He plans to seek guidance fro the city’s corporation counsel to determine the board’s legal power with regards to the NAACP request.
Public Safety Committee Chair Brian Wingate declined to comment further.
