Tucson
Firefighter Challenges Suspension Over Gay Bias

A Tucson Fire Department battalion chief is trying to overturn a suspension she received for engaging in a disparaging e-mail exchange about gays, according to the Associated Press.

Sharon McDonough was suspended in July after choosing not to stop e-mail exchanges with Capt. Roger Lee, Assistant Chief Randy Ogden told the AP. A personnel form said McDonough's actions showed weak judgment and leadership as well as a failure to follow the instructions of the city's equal opportunity director.

Lee was also suspended but retired before the suspension could take effect.

At a hearing Monday on McDonough's lawsuit, Tucson fire chief Daniel Newburn clarified that there were no allegations of an inappropriate relationship between McDonough and Lee. Only the e-mails were seen as inappropriate.

McDonough and her attorney, Michael Storie, declined to comment on her lawsuit while it is still in progress. (The Advocate)