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Former Park Police Chief Teresa Chambers, who was suspended two years ago and later fired after telling the press that the agency's staffing level was inadequate, is seeking $2.2 million from the National Park Service for lost salary, emotional distress and a damaged reputation.

Because of an expiring two-year statute of limitations under the Federal Tort Claims Act, Chambers faced the choice of advancing the damage claim or forgoing that option. She sent the claim to the Park Service in early December, and said she will file it in federal court within the next six months unless the agency resolves the issue by reinstating her as Park Police chief.

While Chambers said she "wants and fully expects" to be reinstated in her old position, she added that she would not rule out financial compensation. She is requesting $1.4 million in compensatory damages and another $750,000 for alleged damage to her reputation and emotional distress. Her legal bills have amounted to about $100,000.

In a letter to Park Service Director Fran Mainella, Chambers' lawyer Richard Condit asked that the claims, laid out in a 109-page affidavit and a compact disc containing supporting exhibits, be reviewed by someone with no previous involvement in the matter.

"The case of Teresa Chambers will determine whether federal civil servants can be fired by political appointees simply for telling the truth," said Condit, who also is general counsel for the Washington-based watchdog group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. "No matter how long it takes, we will leave no stone unturned in restoring Teresa Chambers as the chief of the U.S. Park Police."

Chambers' legal team also has filed a federal lawsuit claiming that the 1974 Privacy Act requires the Park Service to provide the former chief with her performance evaluation documents from the period for which she was later charged with substandard performance and conduct.

Chambers said that without access to her personnel evaluation, which she maintains is positive, and other performance records, she has been "blackballed" from getting a new job in law enforcement.

The Park Service replaced Chambers with Dwight Pettiford in March 2005. Pettiford joined the Park Police in 2002 and had served as acting chief since March 2004.

David Barna, Park Service public affairs chief, said in an e-mail that the agency cannot comment on personnel actions or on pending litigation. But he noted "as a reminder" that the Merit Systems Protection Board in October 2004 upheld the agency's move to fire Chambers because a reinstatement "would impair the agency's ability to carry out its law enforcement mission."

The MSPB ruling also rejected Chambers' claim for whistleblower status, mentioning several times that Chambers' testimony was not found to be credible.

The decision did throw out two of the six charges brought against Chambers in her firing. She has appealed to the full MSPB. There is no deadline for the board to issue a decision on the appeal.

COMMENTS

• If she was a veteran she would really be screwed, but since she is a civilian I am sure the Park Service will dig down deep and pay her. Charlie Posted January 7, 2006 10:49 PM