Galveston judge rules in favor of Texas City in ex-firefighter's lawsuit

GALVESTON - A local state district judge's move to side with the city of Texas City in a former firefighter's lawsuit against it has effectively disposed the case.

Recent court records show Galveston County 212th District Court Judge Susan Criss listened to oral arguments on Texas City's plea to the jurisdiction last month and ruled that said plea should be granted.

Harris County resident Jamil Saifi sued the city in March in response to what he claims is an unlawful discharge, arguing that it committed breach of contract when it terminated him from its fire department in December 2011.

In response, Texas City entered a motion stating the suit should be tossed out for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

It stressed Saifi had no justiciable interests and his allegations of civil service violations are waived under the collective bargaining agreement’s conditions of employment revision.

The accompanying original answer added that the city acted in good faith “at all times.”

The defendant hired Saifi on Dec. 17, 2007, and he subsequently entered into a conditions of employment agreement which stated that he must pass a paramedic certification-related placement examination before becoming a Texas City firefighter.

According to the original petition, the plaintiff did not pass any test prior to starting his employment, but Texas City Fire Chief Joseph A. Gorman ordered the plaintiff to commence paramedic training in April 2010.

He completed the training, but proved unsuccessful with the national registry numerous times.

Saifi was let go shortly afterwards.

Case No. 13-CV-436