"After careful consideration of the arguments of the parties, we have concluded that complainant Lueders lacks standing as an aggrieved person with regard to the greater part of his complaint," wrote PFC President Alan Seeger. "From the face of the complaint, we conclude that this complainant's interest in these matters is generally not distinguishable from the interest of any other observor."

The rejected part of the complaint concerned whether Lt. Riley violated department rules in failing to forward letters of complaint to the Professional Standards Unit. The PFC let stand the part of the complaint alleging that Riley lied to Lueders when he denied having knowledge of the letters.

In a concurrent decision, the PFC used nearly identical language in rejecting a complaint brought by Ron Greer against Fire Chief Debra Amesqua. The PFC held that Greer lacked standing to bring such an action, in part because he was no longer a firefighter since being fired by the PFC.

The PFC is interpreting the Legislature's decision a few years back to change the statute governing who can file PFC complaints from "elector" to "aggrieved person" as requiring "some degree of particular interest or involvement" in the matter at hand.

Michael Dean, attorney for Greer, argues that the Legislature actually intended to broaden, not restrict, the statute's applicability. He is considering an action in circuit court to compel the PFC to hear the case.

The remaining part of Isthmus' complaint against Lt. Riley is slated for a PFC hearing next Thursday, Oct. 15, in the City-County Bldg. at 5:15 pm.