In a significant development, the Tillamook Fire District has agreed to settle a lawsuit with a $15,000 payment to former Battalion Chief, Charles Spittles, who alleged wrongful termination due to whistleblowing. The payment, which puts an end to a period of fiscal uncertainty for the district, will be covered by the district’s insurer, Oregon’s Special Districts Insurance Program.
Spittles was terminated in December 2022, following an incident where he and former Volunteer Fire Captain Aaron Burris recorded and shared an explicit video of a district staffer. The pair claimed their actions were a whistleblowing effort against then-Chief Daron Bement’s inaction. However, an independent investigation found policy violations by Spittles and Burris, leading to their dismissal.
Fire Chief Jeff McBrayer expressed disappointment over the court’s decision to settle the matter out of court. McBrayer believed a trial could have shaped public opinion favorably for the district. Conversely, Board Chair Brian Cameron welcomed the resolution, stating it will allow the fire district to refocus its efforts on serving the community.
The litigation significantly strained the district’s budget, with legal expenses exceeding $100,000. Cameron called for voter support on a funding levy, citing the district’s low funding and increasing call volumes, which are further challenging...
; ; ; agreed to pay $17.07 million to settle federal allegations of illegal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices on Friday, marking the Justice Department's first resolution unde...