Health Department employee fighting to get job back after problems with lead program uncovered

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Health Department employee, fired after problems with the lead program were uncovered, is fighting to get his job back.

Richard Gaeta oversaw lead abatement projects and was fired over the summer after an internal investigation.

According to that report, Gaeta misused federal funds and did not abate lead hazards in homes of kids with lead poisoning.

A city board heard more than a dozen hours of testimony over the last week and on Monday, attorneys made closing arguments.

"Mr Gaeta's inability or unwillingness to acknowledge the issues with his coworkers and the contractors suggests that he's not going to be able to fix them if he's returned to his position," said Benjamin Roovers, Attorney for the City.

"Just because other people resigned or received a suspension or whatever it may be, that's not a reason to go after somebody for this broad of a scope of conduct and it goes back years. And again, this is somebody without any prior discipline on multiple prior managers," said Paul Schinner, Attorney for Richard Gaeta. 

The Board planned to make a decision on Monday however the meeting was improperly posted. They had to delay deliberations and will resume Thursday night.