Dismissed Fire Chief Gets $100,000 Settlement

Former Pasadena Fire Chief Kaya Pekerol got an early Christmas present from his old employer when the city paid him $100,000 to settle a lawsuit over being fired by City Manager Philip Hawkey, who had publicly questioned the firefighter’s performance.

Deputy City Atty. Lawrence Newberry confirmed the settlement Monday after a Times review of city records revealed that a check had been written late last month.

Newberry said the council reached the agreement in November, but that Pekerol, who was fired in 1995, did not sign the deal until Friday. Under the state open meetings law, Newberry said, a council announcement does not have to be made until a settlement is signed by all those involved.

“This is less than it would have cost to go to trial,” said Richard Terzian, a private attorney who represented the city in the case.

Pekerol’s attorney did not return telephone calls Friday seeking comment. Pekerol, the chief for 14 years, was fired after a dispute with Hawkey that resulted in three suspensions. Pekerol filed a libel lawsuit against Hawkey after one suspension when the city manager cited “performance issues.” Hawkey declined to elaborate on the comment. After the October 1993 Altadena fire, Pasadena firefighters had cast a “no confidence” vote in their then-chief .