A local fire apparatus dealer has filed suit against the city of Beaufort, the Beaufort Fire Department and Fire Chief Sammy Negron over the proposed sale of a used tower ladder. Palmetto Fire Apparatus claims the city agreed to pay it a commission if it could find a buyer for a 1998 Pierce tower ladder.
Palmetto claims it found a willing buyer for the truck, the Port Wentworth Fire Department in Georgia, but that Beaufort then backed out of the deal. According the lawsuit, the deal fell apart because Chief Negron claims he lacked the authority to enter into the sales agreement.
For those who have used Legal Considerations for their Fire Law classes, does the scenario sound familiar? Recall the discussion on apparent authority and due diligence….