Stockton’s former fire chief is appealing his case to the Supreme Court that he was wrongfully terminated for attending a leadership conference that was held at a church.
The appeal comes after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit sided with the city in a ruling last year. The appeal was filed by nonprofit First Liberty Institute, Baker Botts L.L.P. and the Church State Council.
The backstory: Ron Hittle served as Stockton’s fire chief from 2005-2011 and was accused by a high-ranking fire department manager of favoring a so-called “Christian Coalition” at the department.
- Following the complaint, Stockton hired an outside investigator to look into Hittle’s conduct.
- The investigation totaled over 250 pages and sustained several allegations made against Hittle, including his failure to maintain proper discipline and order within the department, the use of city time and a city vehicle to attend a religious event and potential favoritism of employees.
- Hittle claims the investigation was one-sided and that the investigator’s demeanor and approach showed a lack of impartiality.
- He was fired shortly after the investigation was complete.
Driving the news: One of the chief allegations centered on Hittle attending a leadership conference which was hosted at a church.
- Hittle was told by the city to attend a leadership training course of his choice, leading him to attend Willow Creek Church’s Global Leadership Summit.
- The investigation painted the event as one of a religious nature, while Hittle has argued that it was a leadership conference, first and foremost, that was held at a church. Past speakers at the conference include former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, former General Electric CEO Jack Welch, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina and Bono.
- Hittle and three other fire department employees attended the summit, paid for the tickets with their own money and carpooled in his city car, which he said in the appeal that he was directed to drive by the city so he could respond to emergency incidents.
What they’re saying: “It is a tragic day for religious liberty in America when someone can be fired because they attend an event that includes religious perspectives,” said Stephanie Taub, Senior Counsel at First Liberty Institute. “The city showed extreme anti-religious bias and broke the law when it fired Chief Hittle. We are asking the Supreme Court to reverse the lower court’s decision and uphold the clear meaning of Title VII to protect all Americans in the workplace.”
- Aaron Streett of Baker Botts added, “City of Stockton officials were completely intolerant of Chief Hittle’s religious beliefs. Federal law protects the freedom of every American to live without fear of being fired simply because of their beliefs.”
