Firefighter’s Residency Violation ‘Misconduct,’ Forfeiting Unemployment Comp

John Cannici was a firefighter with the Village of Melrose Park, Illinois, which has a requirement that firefight­ers live in the Village. In 2008, Cannici purchased a house in Orland Park. His wife and their children lived in the Orland Park house while Cannici lived in the Village house. In June 2013, Cannici rented the…

Mandatory Retirement Not ‘Involuntary’

Firefighter Robert Pyzyna worked for the Prospect Heights Fire Protection District in Illinois from June 2005 until his retirement on October 31, 2017. Pyzyna’s retirement was required because he had reached the age of 65, the mandatory retirement age for active firefighters under the Illinois Fire Protection District Act. Pyzyna retired with a defined benefit…

Chief Deputy Loses Job After Heated Meeting With Union President

Patricia Fritz was the Chief Deputy in the Office of the Sheriff of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. In August 2018, Fritz met with Corporal Steven Felder in his capacity as union president. After other business had been concluded, Felder began a discussion with Fritz concerning her implementation of a policy requiring medical excuses for absence from…

Trooper Who Quits During Harassment Investigation Loses Unemployment Benefits

Tatiana Loughman began working as a police officer for the Ohio Highway Patrol on August 7, 2013. Upon commencement of her employment, she was subjected to sexual harassment by co-workers and her supervisor, Sergeant Sheldon Robinson. In November 2013, she filed a complaint with the Patrol’s human resources department regarding the harassment. The first complaint…