Case Name: James SEAMAN v. CITY OF LEESVILLE
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1996-05-10
Citations: 672 So. 2d 914
Docket Number: No. 96-C-0884
Parties: James SEAMAN v. CITY OF LEESVILLE.
Judges: CALOGERO, C.J., and BLEICH, J., would deny the writ.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 672
Pages: 914–914

Head Matter:
James SEAMAN v. CITY OF LEESVILLE.
No. 96-C-0884.
Supreme Court of Louisiana.
May 10, 1996.
Rehearings Denied June 21, 1996.

Opinion:
In re Leesville, City of; — Defendant(s); applying for writ of certiorari and/or review; to the Court of Appeal, Third Circuit, No. CA95-0587; Parish of Vernon, 30th Judicial District Court, Div. "B", No. 49,133.
Writ granted. The Court of Appeal erred in concluding that the City failed to provide adequate due process to its employee. The purpose of LSA-R.S. 33:2560(D), requiring written notification of termination with reasons for the discharge, is to afford due process to the employee so that he can know with reasonable particularity the facts and circumstances he or she might be called upon to rebut in case the employer makes out a prima facie case. Powell v. City of Winnfield Fire & Police Civ. Serv. Bd., 370 So.2d 109 (La.App. 2 Cir.1979). The evidence reveals that the plaintiff previously received this notification in the pretermination letter sent to the plaintiff on January 5, 1990. Accordingly, the decision of the Leesville Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board, upholding the City of Leesville's decision to dismiss the plaintiff, is reinstated.
CALOGERO, C.J., and BLEICH, J., would deny the writ.
KIMBALL, J., not on panel.