Whistleblower/Attorney Kelly O'Haire Sues Chief Suhr/SF for Retaliation and Wrongful Termination

OAKLAND, Calif., May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Kelly O'Haire, a whistleblower and former internal affairs attorney for SFPD, is filing a lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court against Chief Suhr and the City of San Francisco for retaliation and wrongful termination.  Chief Suhr terminated O'Haire less than a month after he became SFPD Chief in retaliation for her handling several of his prior disciplinary actions that could have resulted in his termination; including his failure to properly report and arrest a domestic violence offender.  Plaintiff O'Haire is represented by the Law Firm of Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli & Brewer of Oakland, California.

Ms. O'Haire worked in government service for over 27 years, including as a police officer and then an assistant district attorney.  In 2006, she was hired by the SFPD as an internal affairs attorney and was responsible for investigating and prosecuting disciplinary actions against members of the police department.  In this role, Ms. O'Haire prosecuted Suhr and brought a motion to bring his prior discipline into evidence in that action.  This action could have led to termination of Suhr.  Ms. O'Haire was threatened by Suhr's lawyers who told her she did not "know how this City worked," and that this was going to be a future employment problem for then-Chief Heather Fong, O'Haire, and others involved.  Ms. O'Haire's lawyers expect to call as witnesses many top officials in the City and County of San Francisco, including Mayor Ed Lee, District Attorney George Gascon (who was Police Chief prior to Suhr), and former Chief Heather Fong. 

Contact:  Please feel free to contact attorneys Gary Gwilliam, Randall Strauss, or Jayme Burns of Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli & Brewer, Oakland, California for further comment at 510-832-5411.  Kelly O'Haire is available for comment through her attorneys.  Complaint will be provided upon request.

SOURCE Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli & Brewer