PALM BAY, FL — Former Palm Bay Deputy Police Chief Lance Fisher has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Palm Bay, alleging disability discrimination, FMLA interference, and whistleblower retaliation. The ten-count complaint, filed June 12, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida (Case No. 6:26-cv-01304), claims municipal leadership unlawfully terminated Fisher’s 20-year career after he sought treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and reported internal misconduct.

The City of Palm Bay and Police Chief Mario Augello have not yet filed a formal response in court, and representatives for the city did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the newly filed complaint. However, city leadership and police officials have repeatedly defended the department’s operations and personnel decisions in public statements and City Council meetings over the past two years.

Allegations of Discrimination and Mental Health Disclosures

According to the complaint, Fisher—a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who rose through the ranks of the Palm Bay Police Department (PBPD) over two decades—sought clinical treatment for PTSD, anxiety, and depression in early 2024. Fisher alleges that when he disclosed his diagnosis and ongoing outpatient treatment to Chief Augello on April 15, 2024, the Chief responded by questioning his position, asking:

“Then why do I need you as my Deputy Chief? If you can’t be part of my succession plan, then why do I need to keep you as Deputy Chief?”

The lawsuit further alleges that on April 17, 2024, Chief Augello entered Fisher’s office, pointed to his temple, and stated that Fisher was “not right in the head” and “can’t do this job anymore.”

Fisher reported these comments to then-City Manager Suzanne Sherman on April 18, 2024. The complaint states that Chief Augello attended this meeting despite Fisher’s request for a private session. Following the meeting, Fisher alleges that Augello summoned him to his office and stated he believed “Satan” was in Fisher’s head.

Fisher requested Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave on May 1, 2024, and filed a Florida workers’ compensation claim for work-induced psychological injuries. While his leave was approved, Fisher alleges the city began isolating him from department operations. According to the complaint, the city permanently revoked his network access, blocked him from department facilities, and confiscated his assigned city vehicle.

Furthermore, the complaint alleges that the department arranged for Fisher’s personal belongings to be delivered to his home by multiple police officers in unmarked vehicles, an interaction recorded on police body-worn cameras. The lawsuit also claims that in June 2024—while Fisher was on approved leave—PBPD representatives communicated to a vendor that Fisher was “no longer with the department” and had been replaced, which the plaintiff cites as evidence of a predetermined termination.

Retaliation Claims and Whistleblower Disclosures

The lawsuit asserts that Fisher’s termination on September 2, 2024, was executed in retaliation for a detailed whistleblower email he sent on May 10, 2024, to the City Manager, City Attorney, and Human Resources Director. In that email, Fisher requested formal protection under Florida’s Public Whistleblower Act and reported several instances of alleged administrative misconduct:

  1. Targeted SIU Enforcement: The complaint alleges that Chief Augello directed the department’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to disproportionately target a sober living facility located directly across the street from the Chief’s personal residence. The lawsuit states the property was subjected to 185 police-initiated calls for service over minor pretexts (such as walking on the wrong side of the road), compared to a combined total of only one call for three similar facilities in the area.
  2. The City’s Response: During City Council meetings, then-City Manager Suzanne Sherman defended the department’s actions, stating that the facility was non-compliant with local regulations, had active drug transactions in the driveway, and harbored a murder suspect. Sherman maintained that police presence was necessary to bring the property into compliance.
  3. Speed Camera Program Revenue: Fisher reported that during internal command staff meetings regarding the RedSpeed school zone speed camera program (Ordinance 2023-114), safety was not discussed. Instead, he alleges the conversations focused on revenue generation and vendor incentives, including the provision of free Flock license plate readers.
  4. The City’s Response: City officials, including Mayor Rob Medina and then-Interim City Manager Scott Morgan, defended the department’s internal review processes. While they supported the program’s initial implementation, the city ultimately suspended the program in May 2025 following citation glitches and formally terminated the vendor’s contract in August 2025.
  5. Flock Surveillance Database Misuse: Fisher alleges the department operated its Flock license plate reader database for several years without formal policies or audits, and that undercover units used the system to conduct live traffic enforcement and political surveillance on Thomas Redmond, an outspoken local critic.
  6. The City’s Response: The department subsequently drafted and implemented formal auditing and usage policies for the database. Police leadership has defended the Flock system as a critical tool for public safety, citing its utility in assisting officers to solve serious crimes.

Regarding Fisher’s termination on September 2, 2024, then-City Manager Suzanne Sherman publicly stated the ouster was administrative due to the critical nature of the Deputy Chief position. Sherman also noted that Fisher was facing an internal investigation that “would have resulted in discipline” prior to his leave, though Fisher maintains he was never notified of any active investigation.

Broader Palm Bay Police Department Context

Fisher’s lawsuit is filed against a backdrop of ongoing legal challenges for the Palm Bay Police Department: * Wrongful Death Litigation: In June 2026, the estate of 31-year-old Thomas Farley filed a federal civil rights and wrongful death lawsuit against the city. The suit stems from a June 28, 2024 incident where Officer Derrick Mitchell, under orders from Sergeant Samantha Missale, deployed a taser while Farley was climbing a six-foot fence. Farley fell, breaking his neck, and remained paralyzed as a quadriplegic until his death on June 19, 2025. * The City’s Response: The Palm Bay Police Department’s internal review cleared the officers of wrongdoing. The department issued a public statement asserting that the force used by the officer was “legally and justifiably used” according to departmental policy and state law. * Officer Sean Rollins: The department has faced public scrutiny over its hiring and retention of Officer Sean Rollins. Rollins was hired by Palm Bay despite a history of use-of-force complaints in South Carolina and Mascotte, Florida. * The City’s Response: In Columbia, South Carolina, Rollins was separated from the department in February 2021 following multiple use-of-force incidents; while South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy records state he was fired, PBPD officials released a copy of Rollins’ voluntary resignation letter to dispute that characterization. In Palm Bay, Rollins was defended by the department after a June 2025 traffic stop involving an insurance verification error, during which he broke the window of resident Tamara Hatcher’s vehicle. A department internal review cleared Rollins of wrongdoing, finding his actions complied with policy. * Rollins’ Current Status: A June 2, 2026 report by local outlet Brevard News indicates Rollins is no longer with the PBPD, stating his reinstatement bid was rejected on May 26, 2026, after a brief military separation, leading to his resignation.

The Legal Claims

The federal lawsuit asserts ten distinct counts against the City of Palm Bay: * Counts I–III (ADA): Disability Discrimination, Failure to Accommodate, and Retaliation. * Counts IV–VI (FCRA): Parallel Florida Civil Rights Act claims. * Counts VII–VIII (FMLA): Interference and Retaliation. * Count IX (Florida Workers’ Compensation): Retaliation for filing a claim under Section 440.205, Florida Statutes. * Count X (Florida Public Whistleblower Act): Retaliation under Section 112.3187, Florida Statutes.

The lawsuit seeks back pay, front pay, compensatory damages for emotional distress, and attorneys’ fees. As the case moves into the discovery phase, depositions of key city and police officials are expected to begin in the coming months.