City of Cincinnati Faces Trial in Firing Lawsuit
The city's failed immunity appeal means the wrongful termination case brought by the former fire chief proceeds to federal trial.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in People
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The Sixth Circuit Court has denied the City of Cincinnati's request to dismiss a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by former fire chief Michael Washington. The case, which stems from Washington's firing in March 2023, is now cleared to proceed to trial in federal court.
Why it matters
The court's denial of qualified immunity exposes the city to a public trial regarding the employment practices surrounding high-level executive terminations. This ruling establishes that the city's legal defense for the firing does not shield it from further litigation in this personnel dispute.
A three-judge panel at the Sixth Circuit Court rejected the city's qualified immunity defense, upholding the continuation of a lawsuit following an executive termination in March 2023. The scope of the litigation concerns the circumstances under which the former fire chief was removed from his post.
The players
Michael Washington
The former Cincinnati fire chief who is currently the plaintiff in a federal wrongful termination lawsuit.
Sheryl Long
The City Manager of Cincinnati who terminated the former fire chief in 2023.
Sixth Circuit Court
The federal appellate body responsible for ruling on the city's failed request for qualified immunity.
The details
The Sixth Circuit Court reached its decision after concluding that the city's arguments for qualified immunity had already been thoroughly reviewed and deemed insufficient. By denying this appeal, the court forces the municipality to move beyond procedural motions and defend the termination in a federal trial. The dispute centers on the removal of the former fire chief, which was initiated by the City Manager following internal complaints regarding workplace conduct.
Timeline
March 2023: City Manager Sheryl Long fired Michael Washington.
October 2026: The Sixth Circuit Court denied the city's appeal.
Market Landscape
This decision reflects the evolving application of the qualified immunity doctrine in municipal personnel disputes. The ruling ensures that local governments face heightened scrutiny when employment decisions for executive leaders are challenged in court.
Business owners should note that personnel terminations involving allegations of hostile work environments carry significant legal risks that cannot be easily dismissed via immunity claims. Legal teams should ensure that documentation for executive departures is robust and clearly aligned with internal policies.
The takeaway
This case highlights the importance of maintaining exhaustive documentation when justifying the termination of high-level leadership. Operators should consult with labor counsel to review the documentation standards necessary to defend personnel actions in federal court proceedings.
Further reading
For more on administrative developments, view the latest updates in Cincinnati People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WKRC.
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Should public employees be granted qualified immunity from civil lawsuits during the performance of their duties?
