Two Omaha firefighters sued the city Tuesday over Mayor Jean Stothert’s hiring of Fire Chief Dan Olsen, alleging she failed to follow the correct selection process.
Battalion chiefs Robb Gottsch and Dan Stolinski, both finalists for the chief position, asked that a court declare Olsen’s promotion to be void.
John Corrigan, their attorney, said the two “feel like their time was wasted during a pre-ordained process (and) feel like the rules haven’t been followed.”
Deputy City Attorney Bernard in den Bosch said the city followed the correct procedure.
“The process worked the way it was supposed to and we’re sorry the two guys didn’t get the job,” he said.
When Stothert announced her selection, she said she followed proper city code. She echoed that on Tuesday.