Anchorage Daily News

Editor's note: This story was originally published February 22, 1997

The word war between Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin and the police chief she fired last month moved into court Friday when attorneys for Irl Stambaugh filed a lawsuit accusing the mayor of contract violation, wrongful termination and gender discrimination.

A former captain with the Anchorage Police Department, Stambaugh was hired in 1993 by Palin's predecessor, a man she defeated in the October election. Although police chiefs generally serve at the pleasure of the mayor, Stambaugh's agreement with the city included a clause that he can't be fired without a good reason -- what is called ''cause'' in legal papers.

At the heart of the dispute is whether Palin's contention that Stambaugh didn't really support her goals for the city adds up to good cause.

The lawsuit accuses Palin of wanting to get rid of Stambaugh because she was asked to by local bar owners and the National Rifle Association. Stambaugh, with officials from Palmer, favored earlier bar closings as a way to combat alcohol-related traffic accidents, according to the complaint by attorney Bill Jermain.

Stambaugh also opposed a concealed-gun law, which the NRA supported.

''Mayor Palin has stated on several occasions that the National Rifle Association encouraged her to fire Chief Stambaugh because of his stance against the concealed weapons legislation,'' the lawsuit alleges.

Palin could not be reached at her office Friday afternoon. Wayne Anthony Ross, a member of the NRA national board, said he probably would have been informed if the organization had taken a stand against Stambaugh. ''Not to my knowledge,'' Ross said.

The lawsuit also claims Palin fired Stambaugh in part because he is a man.

''Plaintiff Stambaugh is a male, standing well over 6 feet tall and weighing more than 200 pounds . . .

Stambaugh had been informed that Mayor Palin felt intimidated because of his size,'' the suit says. ''Stambaugh, being sensitive to the Mayor's concern regarding his sex, size and height, made particular efforts to sit in a chair whenever discussing matters with Mayor Palin and talk in a quiet soothing voice to the mayor.''

''Stambaugh's size is a result of his sex. Stambaugh was terminated because of his sex . . . an unlawful employment practice,'' the complaint says.

The suit requests compensatory and punitive damages.

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