Mammoth Police Sergeant Eric Hugelman has filed a claim against the Town of Mammoth Lakes for more back pay and benefits than he has already received.
Mammoth Police Chief Dan Watson confirmed that Hugelman has filed a claim. Chief Watson said, “Its a question of what he is entitled to in back pay.” Watson said Hugelman was already paid for the time he was off the job with an appeal pending on his termination. “It’s just a question of the amount,” said the Chief. “He and his attorney believe he was not given the correct amount.”
Town Attorney Andy Morris said, “The Town paid him all the money we think he’s entitled to.” When asked how much more Hugelman wants, Morris said only that the claim mentions at least $25,000. Morris said the Town will evaluate the claim and either deny it or accept it.
Former Chief Randy Schienle had fired Hugelman following an internal affairs investigation into the bar fight at Rusty’s Saloon in Bishop in 2009. Hugelman was initially charged, but later counts were dismissed. An administrative hearing officer found that Hugelman should be reinstated at the MLPD.
If Hugelman does receive more money, it will come out of the Mammoth Lakes Police budget which is already suffering. In fact, as of July 1st, a patrolman will leave the department under a lay-off. He is a patrol officer. Chief Watson said he anticipates a decision on possibly cutting back on the traffic officer position and backfilling the patrol position.
While he prefers to keep his officers, Chief Watson said, “What the Town Council did last week is far better than the proposed cut of three positions the week before.”
Looking at the response patterns of “upthecreek” and “rob”, I would say they are one and the same sorry a$$, pathetic, self absorbed, miserable bar fly. Always quick to throw out statements and claims with nothing to back ’em except a bunch of hot air.
It’s also well known that the Eastern Sierra is a great place to retire. Which means there’s more then a fair share of folks up here getting pensions. So as popular as Surrounded by?’s comments may seem, they do not accurately display the opinion of everyone in California. As voters… Read more »
Rob- boy you sure don’t know me. You’re absolutely right about that and in the same manner you have no idea who I am either. I do know one thing I’m not sitting in a bar spending my means and complaining about how I have nothing and everyone who does… Read more »
Surrounded by ? – boy you sure don’t know me.
So you’re retired. If i was you I’d take my pension and keep my mouth shut.
I’d like to see you spout that bs off in Rusty’s.
this is just step number one for him. what else is this power/money hungry public official going to want next? own the town? he kinda does already(city council). run the town. he kinda does that too! as mentioned before. good luck TOML, you too Chief Watson. i admire your courage!
Rob and upthecreek Like my name says I am surounded by ?. Becasue none of you doom sayers ever planned for your futures you want to make sure no one else has one either. Yes I was a public servant before retirement and let me tell you, when the times… Read more »
What political party is in power?
So starving retirees into “submission” is a solid plan for pension reform?…nice.
It’s got to start somewhere. It’s not like they’ll be lonely, let them starve, they’ll be in the company of a lot of folks that do not have a public pension.
Mr. Ness? Don’t waste your time with upthecreek, he has no idea what it takes to work for a company or goverment for more than 2 years. Upthecreek; to say you are sad and grumpy is nothing, you should run for the city council of Mammoth Lakes and make changes.… Read more »
When municipal pension plans started people retired at age 65 and collected for 2 -3 years. Now bureaucrats retire in their early 60’s or late 50’s and collect for 2 – 3 decades and that isn’t sustainable. I can foresee more municipalities taking the tactic Prichard Alabama just used to… Read more »
Social Security, government pensions, Medicare, Obamacare…
You’d think these liberals/socialists would have learned from history that nanny states taking care of you fails and the only one you can count on to take care of yourself is YOU!
upthecreek I to do not feel Hugleman should be suing the Town at this time, but if the Town owes it to him through the court judgement he is entitled to it no matter what our feelings are. This is what’s great about the USA you can have your opinion… Read more »
LOL..
you must be a public SERVANT
In this forum public servants are easy to spot. No need to debate with them, just be sure you get out there and vote. When there’s more public servants then private sector employees it’s time to leave the State and watch what they do next. The only companies that provide… Read more »
Harry is “500 Mile” Short’s good bro. Short is Hugelman’s bro.
During the “500 mile” discussion I did support Jim Short because he was operating under the rules in effect at the time. I did not support the rule. Please attempt to get the facts correct.
Using your logic, if the rule was in effect to throw the Jews in the ovens, it would be OK to do so. Using a taxpayer funded vehicle for personal use is legally wrong no matter who says it’s OK.
isn’t the pension enough..
He needs more?
Please, Harry, enlighten us: who are you in relation to Huggelman (friend, relative, attorney, or Eric himself?), and why do you think he deserves, in addition to his two years PAID time off, more money from hard-working taxpayers and their bankrupt town? And let everyone know from where this money… Read more »
I did not support the claim or the suit. I support the right of all Americans in our democratic country to exercise their constitutional rights. I do not know Huggelman. I have heard rumors and read rants here on him. I do not see any of them as anything more… Read more »
Christ, what an a–hole.
The kind of response one has grown to expect from those who sit on the sidelines and only have negative opinions.
OK, Harry…Let’s ALL have positive opinions,whether they are warranted or not…be happy. Can’t we all just get along? Just what MLPD needs…ANOTHER frivolous lawsuit brought on by a Sergeant that dodged the bullet,(ever heard the expression(,”let sleeping dogs lay?) How much $ do you expect to squeeze out of a… Read more »
No, lets all be fair and recognise we live in a democratic where there are constitutional rights that can be exercised even if their being exercised are not liked.
You and I are exercising our rights to free speech. My issue is with name calling, rumor mongering and being judgemental.
Everyone has rights including the right to sue if you think your rights have been abused.
Most people would be happy & grateful just to get back on the job. MOST,PEOPLE.
Pigs get fat…hogs get slaughtered.
WOW!!!!!!…Another Mammoth Lakes lawsuit…..Between this new one,along with all the med.marijuana lawsuits going on…and up-coming….it’s little wonder why the town is so broke….Mono County tax-payers,start reaching into your pockets…..again….
The only lawsuit of serious concern is the one on the airport brought about by incompetent city councel and counsel adviser’s, and the voters who voted for these incompetents again and again. Lets put the blame where it belongs.