Former Galveston Island Beach Patrol Chief Peter Davis has filed a federal lawsuit alleging wrongful termination, unpaid severance, and political retaliation after more than 40 years of service.
Peter Davis, who has served as the chief of the Galveston Island Beach Patrol for many years, is now challenging his dismissal in federal court. He claims wrongful termination, seeks unpaid severance, and alleges that his firing was a result of political retaliation.
Davis, who dedicated 42 years to the Beach Patrol and served as its chief for nearly 20 years, was dismissed last month by the Galveston Park Board of Trustees. Since March, he has been on unpaid leave as the board investigated what it characterized as lapses in judgment.
Allegations have surfaced regarding the allowance of overnight stays for visiting Chilean lifeguards at the now-demolished Stewart Beach Pavilion, the hiring of his wife’s company for a cultural-sensitivity seminar, and the failure to uncover nearly $60,000 in embezzlement by an employee, despite reports of missing funds.
A lawsuit was filed on Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, where Davis contends that the Park Board bears responsibility for the incidents in question and failed to communicate effectively regarding his status. He asserts that information regarding his circumstances was disclosed to the media before he was notified.
The lawsuit identifies Jason Hardcastle, the Chair of the Park Board, and interim CEO Marty Miles as co-defendants in the case. The report highlights the involvement of former CEOs Kimberley Danesi, who stepped down in June due to conflicts with municipal offices, and Kelly de Schaun, but neither is named as a defendant in the case.
Davis claims he was denied severance pay and the opportunity to clear his name in a hearing. He is pursuing the restoration of his severance, a public hearing, and a jury trial.
“Chief Davis has fallen victim to a series of concerning political maneuvers as the Park Board grapples with the need to validate its role in the face of mismanagement, territorial conflicts, and excessive administrative control,” the lawsuit asserts. “Perceived as lacking the necessary allegiance to the existing Park Board leadership, Davis was ousted under questionable conditions, relying on weak and unfounded accusations.”
In a statement to the Galveston County Daily News, Miles expressed gratitude to Davis for his years of service while standing firm on the decision to terminate him. “It is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge the series of choices he made, which ultimately compelled us to arrive at the tough conclusion to part ways,” Miles stated. “At this moment, we are unable to provide specifics, but we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to present our case in court.”
