Waukesha Fire Chief suspended with pay as case moves forward

WAUKESHA (WITI) -- Embattled Waukesha Fire Chief Jesse Alba made an appearance before the Waukesha Fire and Police Commission on Wednesday, August 21st. Up for a vote Wednesday was a decision whether to move forward in a case to remove the relatively new chief from his position.

Alba is accused of misconduct after the city says he became infatuated with a female co-worker, and then threatened to fire her because of it.

According to documents obtained by FOX6 News, Alba is accused of telling the co-worker he was in love with her. He thought she felt the same way, but documents show she did not.

These documents say Alba asked his "crush" repeatedly to quit, so he could focus on his job.

"They are stressed.  Brand new fire chief they were looking forward to working with him as their leader and now they're calling into question his ability to lead and it's creating difficulties," Waukesha City Administrator Ed Henschel said.

Waukesha's mayor and city administrator asked the Fire and Police Commission to suspend the chief with pay, and move the case against him forward -- to which the FPC agreed.

With his wife by his side on the way out of court Wednesday, Chief Alba did not speak to the media, but his lawyer did, giving for the first time, Alba's side of the story.

"There's been no violation of city rules that would warrant what they are seeking," Alba's lawyer said.

In a statement released to the media, Alba's lawyer says the chief engaged in a consensual, sexual relationship with the complainant. The relationship never occurred while Alba was on duty, and ended before he was hired as chief.

The chief says while he regrets the decision in his personal life, he did nothing wrong on the job.

"We look forward to presenting our witnesses, and what our case will show," Alba's lawyer said.

The chief's wife is standing very much at his side through this.

The Fire and Police Commission has agreed to hear arguments on September 12th.