An open records request filed by WCLO with the City of Janesville sheds more light on the complaints a former fire inspector filed against the fire chief, fire marshal, and a fire lieutenant.
Documents obtained from the City indicate that Donald “Jeff” Bowen received a verbal reprimand in February for a violation of his duties and responsibilities as a fire inspector. Three days later he submitted his resignation.
Bowen continued his duties as a volunteer with the Fire Department’s Explorer Post until August when he was removed from the position.
Later in August Fire Chief Randy Banker contacted the Janesville Police Department and asked for a welfare check on Bowen, expressing concerns that he was mentally unstable and that he continued to pursue a volunteer position with the Explorer’s even after he was told not to.
Janesville Police later determined that Bowen was not a risk to himself or others.
In November Bowen filed three charges against Chief Randy Banker and one against both Fire Marshal Sue North and Fire Lieutenant Paul VerHalen accusing all three of malfeasance in public office.
Bowen maintains that Banker wrongly caused him to be removed from his volunteer position and also misrepresented his work record when he told the police he thought Bowen was dangerous.
North is accused of assisting Banker in providing false information for the police report.
Bowen accuses VerHalen of spreading a false narrative about why he was removed as a volunteer with the Explorer’s.
The Janesville Police and Fire Commission will consider all the charges when they meet at 4:30 Tuesday afternoon
