Editor's Note: This is Part 2 of WBR Independent's ongoing coverage of West Baton Rouge Parish Fire Protection District No. 1. PART 1. WBR Independent has obtained and is publishing the full public documents.

PORT ALLEN — The five-page termination letter that ended Deputy Fire Chief James "Bean" Hartley's employment with West Baton Rouge Parish Fire Protection District No. 1 cited attending his son's middle school football game, visiting a casino with his fiancée, and spending time at a friend's home — all while Hartley was on sick leave for a hand injury and had submitted a Veterans Administration doctor's note.

WBR Independent obtained the January 16, 2026 Notice of Discipline and Second Notice of Investigation through a public records request and is publishing the document in full alongside this article so residents can read the charges and draw their own conclusions.

The document, signed by Chief H. Butch Browning, lists multiple categories of violations stemming from a sick leave period that began November 9, 2025. A VA physician's note dated November 10 requested Hartley be excused from work through December 5, 2025. Browning found the note "insufficient" because it did not provide specific justification for the absence.

Hartley has appealed his termination to the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board, which accepted the appeal on February 9, 2026. A hearing date has not been set.

What the Document Says

The charges fall into five categories. One was dismissed. Four resulted in termination.

Attending a football game. The document states that on November 9, 2025, Hartley attended a football game at Port Allen Middle School in which his son and stepson participated. Hartley told investigators he went to the game to obtain food, citing an exception in the district's sick leave policy — Section 7.3(F)(3)(e) of the Employee Handbook — that permits employees on sick leave to leave their residence "to obtain food."

Browning rejected the explanation, finding that Hartley participated in a "recreational activity" by interacting with players, coaches, and referees. The document states this is specifically prohibited by Section 7.3(F)(4) of the Employee Handbook.

Visiting a casino. On November 15, 2025, Hartley, his fiancée, and another couple went to L'Auberge Casino in Baton Rouge. According to the document, Chief of Operations Waldrep captured a Facebook post and photograph showing the group at the casino and presented it as evidence during the Pre-Disciplinary Hearing. Hartley again cited the "to obtain food" exception. Browning again rejected it.

Attending a gathering. On or about November 16, 2025, Hartley attended a gathering at the home of Kris and Haley Adams with approximately 30 other people. A Facebook post was again used as evidence. Hartley testified he went to obtain food. Browning characterized the testimony as "false and misleading."

Spending time at home while on duty. The document states that Daily Reports showed Hartley remained at home for excessive periods — in excess of 30 hours — while on paid active duty. Hartley said he was always able to respond to any fire or major emergency and cited a standing general order, SGO 2025-01, that required him to report to and remain at his assigned station after 10 p.m. Browning found this reliance on a single provision ignored the Deputy Chief's broader responsibilities, including shift briefings, supervisory counseling, and maintaining the chain of command.

Failure to respond to a medical call (dismissed). One charge — that Hartley failed to respond to a heart attack on October 17, 2025 — was dropped. Browning noted that both Hartley and Chief Waldrep testified the Deputy Chief has discretion over whether to respond to medical calls, and found that Hartley "exercised the requisite discretion in not responding."

Facebook Posts as Evidence

The document shows that district leadership relied on Facebook posts as part of its investigation. Chief of Operations Waldrep captured a Facebook post and photograph showing Hartley and others at L'Auberge Casino and presented it at the Pre-Disciplinary Hearing. A separate Facebook post was used to document Hartley's attendance at the Adams gathering with approximately 30 people.

The document does not address whether Facebook posts have been used as evidence in other employee disciplinary proceedings.

Payroll Fraud Language

The phrase "payroll fraud" appears multiple times throughout the document, but always with qualifying language. Browning writes that Hartley's actions "may rise to the level of payroll fraud" and "probably rise to the level of payroll fraud" — but never states definitively that payroll fraud occurred. The document identifies it as a potential "Level Three Violation" under the Employee Handbook.

Despite the repeated references, Hartley was not charged with payroll fraud. He was terminated for sick leave policy violations, participation in recreational activities while on sick leave, failure to remain at home, excessive time at home while on duty, and providing what Browning characterized as false and misleading testimony during the investigation.

What the Document Doesn't Say

The termination letter does not address several questions that are likely to be central to Hartley's appeal.

The document does not explain who directed the investigation or when it began. The charges span incidents from October 17 through December 1, 2025, but the original Notice of Investigation was issued November 18 — nine days after the football game referenced in the charges. Subsequent notices on December 3, December 16, and January 12 progressively expanded the scope of charges.

The document does not address the Employee Handbook's own sick leave exceptions. While Browning repeatedly rejected Hartley's invocation of Section 7.3(F)(3)(e) — the "to obtain food" exception — the document does not explain how the district distinguishes between obtaining food at a football game concession stand and obtaining food at any other location.

The Personnel Action Form

The termination was formalized on a Personnel Action Form dated January 20, 2026 — four days after the termination letter. The form shows Hartley's status moving from "Probational Deputy Fire Chief" to "N/A."

The form carries two signatures: Browning signed the "Recommended" line as Chief, and a second signature appears on the "Approved" line designated for the "Appointing Authority / Chairperson Municipal Fire Civil Service Board."

The Employee Acknowledgement line is blank. The form does not show Hartley's signature.

The termination letter was copied to Parish President Jason Manola, identified in the document as "Parish President and Appointing Authority."

Retaliation Allegation

Hartley alleges in his appeal filing that his termination was retaliatory, citing public comments he made at the October 23, 2025 Fire Board meeting criticizing the district's leadership structure.

Parish President Jason Manola denied that claim, telling WBRZ, "Obviously, we won't use anything like that as a reason. The fire chief would not use that as a reason for a recommendation of termination for an employee."

The termination letter does not reference Hartley's October 2025 testimony.

What Happens Next

Hartley's appeal before the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board will be a public proceeding. Under Louisiana Revised Statutes governing fire civil service, the district bears the burden of proving the charges warrant termination. Hartley has the right to present evidence, call witnesses, and be represented by counsel. The Board may uphold the termination, modify the discipline, or order reinstatement, depending on its findings.

The full termination document is published below.

Document: WBR FPD1 Hartley Disciplinary Records — Public Records Production (66 Pages)

Sixty-six pages of documents produced in response to a public records request to the West Baton Rouge Parish Fire Protection District No. 1 Civil Service Board. The production includes Personnel Action Forms, Notices of Investigation dated November 18 and December 16, 2025, an Amended Notice of Investigation dated December 3, 2025, a Supplement expanding charges dated January 12, 2026, the Notice of Discipline and termination letter dated January 16, 2026, the Pre-Disciplinary Hearing record, Employee Handbook excerpts including sick leave policy, Standing General Order 2022-03 defining the Deputy Chief role, and records related to a prior 2021 investigation in which Hartley was cleared.

WBR Independent obtained this document through a public records request to the West Baton Rouge Parish Fire Protection District No. 1 Civil Service Board. The document is published in full, with only personal identifying information such as home addresses, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers redacted for privacy.

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