Wyoming, Old Forge Make Title Game 
The Warriors Power Past Seton Catholic, And The Blue Devils Beat Northwest In
The Holiday Tournament.

Anna Sadauckas

By LANE FILLER lfiller@leader.net
 Tuesday, December 28, 2004 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





WILKES-BARRE - Former Fire Chief Jay Delaney filed a federal suit against
the city last Wednesday, claiming he is the victim of harassment,
discrimination and false accusations. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The suit also claims Delaney has been deprived of his seniority within the
department and was denied the equipment necessary to carry out his
firefighting responsibilities. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Delaney served as fire chief for four years under former Mayor Tom
McGroarty. The suit describes him as an active and well-known supporter of
McGroarty's failed re-election campaign in 2003 and describes his replacement,
current Chief Jacob Lisman, as a well-known supporter of Mayor Tom Leighton's
campaign. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In January 2004, Delaney was relieved of his duties as chief and offered
the opportunity to re-apply for the position. He did so, but failed to win the
appointment. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Delaney is not suing to recover the job of chief, but rather to recover the
job of battalion chief/training officer, the post he held before being
elevated to chief. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The law states that Delaney cannot be demoted below the rank of his last
non-appointed Civil Service rank. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Contacted Monday night and asked if the battalion chief/training officer
job had been appointed, Delaney referred all questions to his attorneys, who
could not be reached for comment by press time. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Leighton said he had not heard of or seen the lawsuit, but added he cannot
comment on matters of pending litigation. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Delaney currently holds the rank of captain in the fire department. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Beyond rank, the suit demands lost wages and attorney's fees, and claims
physical and emotional pain and suffering. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In 2005, a captain will earn $45,309, while the battalion chief/training
officer will earn $49,373, a difference of $4,064 per year. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Delaney would have earned $68,190 as chief. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Former Wilkes-barre Fire Chief Suing The City Jay Delaney, Who Was Backer Of Former Mayor, Claims He Was Discriminated Against.