CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — A lawyer on behalf of former Clarksburg Fire Chief Stephen McIntire has called for a public hearing after McIntire was terminated from the position on Monday.

A copy of the termination letter that was sent to 12 News by Toriseva Law says McIntire was discharged from his position “Based on actions arising from the painting of a mural in the fire chief’s office” at the main fire station in Clarksburg. No further details on the mural have been released.

However, McIntire’s lawyer is now demanding that his mandatory public hearing before the Civil Service Commission be held, calling the termination “illegal and retaliatory.”

“Fire Chief McIntire’s employment was terminated after being questioned about his involvement as a civil plaintiff in two wage and hour lawsuits against the City alleging that it failed to properly calculate and pay the City’s fire fighters their regular rates of pay and overtime pay,” the demand says.

The lawsuit mentioned was filed in the Harrison County Circuit Court on Tuesday, June 25 and includes 44 Clarksburg Firefighters as plaintiffs. It alleges that due to a miscalculation by the city, Clarksburg firefighters have been shorted pay by millions of dollars since the 1950s.

As a civil service member, McIntire may present evidence regarding his termination. The document from his lawyer calls for the public hearing within 10 days as well as announces subpoenas for several Clarksburg City officials, including City Manager Tiffany Fell who is described as the “removing officer.”

McIntire is suspended with pay pending the outcome of the hearing.

12 News has reached out to both Fell and McIntire and has yet to hear back from either.