TRENTON - City Fire Director Qareeb Bashir took the stand this week in an effort to defend the fire department and the city from allegations of mistreatment by a former firefighter.
Trenton Fire Department Director Qareeb Bashir appears in a file photo.
Bashir is one of multiple members of the department scheduled to testify at the civil trial as a result of the 2014 lawsuit brought forth by former firefighter Jesse Diaz.
The trial for the lawsuit started this week in Mercer County Superior Court.
The basis for the lawsuit revolves around a phone call in 2012 during which Diaz claims he heard another firefighter, Pete Plumeri use a racial slur, according to the suit.
Diaz urged Fire Capt. James Hall to take action but Hall declined, saying he would prefer to deal with the situation, "in house" rather than take it to someone higher up, the suit said.
Regardless, Diaz wrote a letter and complained in person to fire chiefs and Bashir.
He was questioned by fire chiefs Todd Fell and Robert Tharp after the incident - both of whom asked Diaz why he was offended by Plumeri's comment, the suit said.
After reporting the incident, Diaz says he was mistreated and given "low man" tasks - like cleaning for over 12 hours - despite being a senior firefighter, the suit said.
The alleged retaliatory mistreatment continued for years until his retirement in 2014, according to the suit.
During a testimony this week Bashir defended the fire department's actions following Diaz's complaint.
He said that he ordered a full investigation into Plumeri.
But attorney George Dougherty, who represents Diaz, argued that the investigation didn't take place and that Bashir's orders were ignored.
"Why weren't you irate?" Dougherty asked in court.
Bashir replied that there was a procedure the fire department had to follow.
The trial continues Thursday.
Anna Merriman may be reached at amerriman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anna_merriman.