A deputy chief with Miramar Fire Rescue has filed suit against the city alleging retaliation in violation of the Florida Whistleblower Act. The complaint was filed in Broward County Circuit Court by Bruce Britton, who alleges he held multiple positions with the city, including Deputy Fire Chief.  

According to the complaint, Chief Britton alleges that during his employment he made both formal and informal complaints concerning alleged violations of “federal, state, and/or local laws, rules, and/or regulations” by one or more city employees.  The complaint does not identify the specific laws, rules, or regulations that he claims were violated.

The complaint further alleges that the reported violations involved matters “that created and presented a substantial and specific danger to the public’s health, safety, or welfare,” including “gross mismanagement, malfeasance, gross waste of public funds, and/or gross neglect of duty.”  

Chief Britton claims he disclosed the information to supervisory officials and other authorities “having the authority to investigate, police, manage, or otherwise remedy the violation or act.” The complaint alleges that at least one of the disclosures was made through a written and signed complaint.  

The lawsuit alleges the city was aware of the complaints and subsequently engaged in retaliatory actions against him.  Among the retaliatory actions alleged in the complaint are:

• Employment demotion/transfer;
• Unlawful denial of promotion, including hiring one or more other individuals who were significantly less qualified than Plaintiff for the position;
• Denial of employment benefits to which Plaintiff was entitled;
• Unwarranted quasi-disciplinary Notices to Appear to answer for baseless accusations;
• Negative treatment by employment superiors, including disclosure of Plaintiff’s complaint(s) to other employees who then also engaged in negative treatment toward Plaintiff; and
• Being assigned improper and/or unlawful job duties.

The complaint also alleges that:

• [O]ne or more of [Chief Britton]’s complaints remains unaddressed and unresolved due to Defendant’s retaliation.
• Accordingly, each day that passes without proper resolution constitutes a renewed cause of action.  

Chief Britton claims the alleged retaliation caused financial damages, harm to his professional standing, physical medical injuries, mental anguish, anxiety, and fearfulness regarding future disclosures of alleged unlawful conduct.  

The suit seeks damages and other relief under the Florida Whistleblower Act.