Board grants continuances as settlement talks proceed for two appeals; another hearing postponed for witness availability

The City of Miami Civil Service Board continued several scheduled hearings during its June 24, 2025 meeting as parties finalized settlements or sought additional time to secure witnesses.

Assistant City Attorney Lynette M. Aguirre told the board the city and the former employee in the case of Stevie Fassen (formerly listed in the agenda as an appeal concerning termination effective March 4, 2025) had reached a settlement and asked that the scheduled appeal hearing be continued while paperwork is finalized. The board approved the continuance on a motion by Board Member Soleiman, seconded by Board Member Lanier, by voice vote. An attorney identified as Gibbons was noted as having communicated by email about a separate settlement in another matter.

Separately, the appeal hearing on behalf of Gary Sampson, a police sergeant who faced a 10-hour suspension effective March 7, 2023, was also continued because counsel reported the parties were finalizing a settlement and signatures were being collected.

A hearing request for Sergeant Marvin Bravo — a grievance concerning his return to a former classification effective Jan. 12, 2025 — was continued at the request of the defense because a material witness (a retired lieutenant) was unavailable; counsel for Bravo requested a short reset and noted the sergeant may be going on military leave. The board took the continuances and indicated staff will work with parties to reschedule hearings, noting an open meeting date of July 8, 2025, as a potential slot.

The board recorded these items as continuances; no final adjudication was made on any of the underlying disciplinary or grievance claims during the June 24 meeting.