CIVIL SERVICE HEARING COMMENCES TODAY FOR FORMER FIRE CHIEF CARLOS ELIZONDO

Former Brownsville Fire Chief Carlos Elizondo with

Attorney Eddie Lucio

What will likely be a lengthy Civil Service Hearing for former Brownsville Fire Chief Carlos Elizondo began today at 8:30 AM in Brownsville Metro's second floor board room.

A panel of three, led by retired firefighter Ben Nunez, Sr., is hearing the case with Elizondo represented by attorney Eddie Lucio.

Attorney Ricardo Navarro, who's frequently represented the City of Brownsville over the years in these arbitration cases, opened by stating that Elizondo's recent "not guilty" verdict in a criminal trial, concerning some of the issues to be considered in this hearing, will have no bearing on the civil matter.

"I don't care about the criminal case," Navarro stated.

More than once Navarro declared:  "This is not about Mr. Elizondo becoming fire chief again.  This panel does not have that authority."

Attorney Ricardo Navarro, Ben Nunez, Sr.

Navarro claimed that, after Elizondo's suspension without pay October 17, 2017, Elizondo accessed a Brownsville Fire Department computer with critical emergency information 48 times, then failed to respond to a query from the city as to why he was accessing that computer while on suspension.

Another issue, to be considered in the hearing, is the diversion of 911 calls to a private ambulance service, alleged to be partially owned by Elizondo.

Attorney Navarro promised to play an 8 minute recorded statement from Charlie Cabler he claims will demonstrate that Cabler, the City Manager at the time the 911 calls were being diverted, "didn't approve" the diversions. 

Nine witnesses, shown above, were sworn in, although Navarro reserved the right to call in more witnesses, as needed, in the hearing.