LIHU’E (AP) – A federal judge has brought a lawsuit filed by Kauai Police Chief George Freitas to a close. Freitas filed the lawsuit against the Kauai Police Commission, alleging that the commission and then-Mayor Maryanne Kusaka conspired to fire
LIHU’E (AP) – A federal judge has brought a lawsuit filed by Kauai Police Chief George Freitas to a close.
Freitas filed the lawsuit against the Kauai Police Commission, alleging that the commission and then-Mayor Maryanne Kusaka conspired to fire him in 2001. The lawsuit was filed after Freitas was suspended with pay on Aug. 13, 2001.
The commission restored Freitas to his position after an extensive investigation.
U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Mollway dismissed the case on Jan. 9 because Freitas was never fired. But she gave Freitas’ attorney, former state Attorney General Margery Bronster, until Jan. 22 to file an amended complaint.
Bronster did not file a new complaint but instead filed a motion on Jan. 23 for an extension of time. Mollway rejected that request the next day.
“The lawsuit served its purpose. I was able to keep my job,” Freitas said. “And the county is well aware that if they try to fire me again, we will be right back in court.”
