SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WLIO) - Attorneys of Shawnee Fire Chief Austin Miller say that he has filed a lawsuit against Shawnee Township and trustees Ted Ciminillo, Clark Spieles, and Joe Recker. The complaint alleges that Miller’s 14th Amendment rights were violated due to a lack of due process.
According to the lawsuit, Miller was placed on suspension on May 30, but the charges against him were not served until Nov. 21 — well past the 15 days allowed without a continuance hearing.
The filing also claims the trustees failed to follow township bylaws requiring that employees be given the opportunity to appeal disciplinary actions. In addition, it alleges Miller was punished for telling a firefighter that the trustees did not allow him to attend training because of that firefighter’s past workers’ compensation claims.
Miller is seeking $75,000 in compensatory and punitive damages.
Below is the full court filing of the complaint.
