Firefighter vs. chief: Conway lawsuit settled with apology

The lawsuit between a firefighter, his former chief and the City of Conway has been settled with an apology.

“While I do not acknowledge any legal wrongdoing, I regret having said anything about Larry Carter’s employment with the City of Conway that may have put him in a negative light,” wrote Conway Fire Chief Le Hendrick in a statement that came with the settlement. “I am pleased that City of Conway, Larry Carter, and I were able to reach a settlement regarding his lawsuit.”

Court documents filed in the lawsuit reflected Carter’s struggle to be promoted in the fire service after Hendrick, a former co-worker, mentioned he was “defiant” in the past.

That description cost him a promotion, Carter said in a lawsuit against his former employer that alleged Hendrick breached a settlement agreement that required he get a “neutral employment reference.”

“Had I known that the City had given Larry a neutral employment reference promise, I would not have discussed the matter at all,” Hendrick said in his statement. “Larry has been a firefighter for over two decades and I commend his public service.”

Carter sued the city and the department after he was terminated in 2012 when an “anonymous letter” accusing him of racism and claiming malfeasance in the department was sent to Conway City Council.

“I am glad this matter has been settled, and I wish nothing but the best for my brothers and sisters at the Conway Fire Department,” Carter said in a statement. “Since I was young I wanted to be a firefighter in the City of Conway. I was proud to become a Conway firefighter in 1998, and ultimately be promoted to captain. The last thing I ever wanted was to be put in the position of having to sue our fire department.

“I sincerely hope that what I have gone through with respect to the end of my 15 year tenure at Conway, and occurrences thereafter, will serve as a teaching moment for all involved,” Carter said. “I have always loved being a firefighter both then and now. Firefighting and serving the people of my hometown and my current jurisdiction is my passion and I look forward to many more years of service.”

Carter now works as a firefighter with the Town of Surfside Beach.

“I think settling this matter was the best move for all involved including both Conway’s citizens and Larry Carter, specifically,” said Carter’s lawyer, J. Paul Porter.

This story was originally published October 31, 2017 at 3:04 PM with the headline "Firefighter vs. chief: Conway lawsuit settled with apology."