Fired Police Chief Considers Suing After Dismissal "Based On Lies"
DORAL (CBSMiami) – One day after Doral's police chief was abruptly fired, the now former police chief fired back at the city officials who removed him from his post. He said he is considering taking legal action.
"[Doral Interim City Manager Merrett Stierheim] said, "If you resign, I won't talk bad about you", and I said, "Let's do something. Terminate me," Gomez explained.
And that's exactly what Stierheim did. Doral Police Chief Ricardo Gomez was fired Tuesday. He says it was abrupt and that he was forced to leave without gathering his personal belongings.
"I felt like I was a member of Al-Qaeda being taken to Gitmo," Gomez explained.
Gomez said that, at best, his dismissal was handled poorly, that it was politically motivated and that an FDLE report was used as the basis.
In that report were allegations of bid rigging, unfair termination and misuse of department funds. However, the state attorney found no crime was committed and did not prosecute.
On Tuesday, Steirheim said that report was what prompted him to fire Gomez.
"Some of the conduct that was going on inside... It just needed to change," said Stierheim.
Gomez's attorney said the decision to fire his client was made prior to the mayoral election and that a meeting between former mayoral candidates Frank Bolanos and Pete Cabrera is proof of that.
"Bolanos, one of two mayoral candidates still in the race, was asked in that meeting one thing: 'If you become mayor, will you fire the police chief and city manager? If so, I will give you my endorsement,'" said Attorney Ibrahim Reyes Gandara.
Bolanos told CBS4 that when he refused, he believes Cabrera then struck the deal with current Doral Mayor Luigi Boria.
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