City attorney questions Homeland Security probe

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The city's lead attorney is firing back at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Jacksonville General Counsel Cindy Laquidara is questioning why the department is reviewing a $6 million grant it gave to the city. That money is being used to train new firefighters.

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Homeland Security wrote the city, saying it's reviewing the grant because city leaders never mentioned the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department is involved in discrimination suits.

Laquidara wrote the department questioning its motives in reviewing the grant. She indicates its another way for the department to gain information on another lawsuit by the Justice Department against the city, information Laquidara believes is not allowed to the department under law.

She also said when the grant to hire firefighters was issued, it was not required for the city to notify the department of issues involving discrimination allegations.

The Department of Homeland security has not responded to numerous requests for comment.


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