Former N.C. Officer Sues Town Over Firing

A former Leland police officer is suing the town, claiming its manager and police chief decided to fire him before investigating his conduct.

John Christian Blasingame was one of five officers suspended on April 13, 2012. Blasingame, Rick Dellapia and Bill Kozak were fired on April 20, 2012, with cause, while Michael Landen and Karl Smith resigned shortly after their suspensions.

Blasingame alleged in court filings that Leland Town Manager David Hollis and then-Interim Police Chief Mike James agreed to fire him before asking the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office to investigate the Leland Police Department on April 4, 2012.

In a court document dated Aug. 2, the town denied Blasingame's claims, which also included allegations that officials violated the town's personnel policy while firing him.

Blasingame is suing for at least $40,000 in damages.

Blasingame was fired for multiple policy violations, according to the initial filing, including computer trespass, assault by pointing a gun, conduct unbecoming an officer and insubordination. Blasingame alleges he was not provided with anything to back those claims.

The town's response contends officials did, in fact, provide Blasingame with "supporting reasons" for his dismissal. The court document does not say what extra information Blasingame was given.

In another allegation, Blasingame said the actions he was fired for had all been reported to supervisors, who either decided they weren't worth discipline or had already punished him for them.

"... it is admitted only that (Blasingame's) entire work history was considered by (Hollis) in the court of the decision to terminate (Blasingame's) employment," said the town's response.

Blasingame also claims that the N.C. Employment Security Commission determined his dismissal was not related to misconduct connected with his work. The town's response admitted Blasingame received some unemployment benefits, but did not say anything about whether his dismissal was connected to on-the-job behavior.

Hollis declined comment Thursday, citing the ongoing litigation.

The case, originally filed in Brunswick County Superior Court on July 18, has since been moved to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service