Complaint No. 1786449644 - 73098144

“Hanging Out with the Enemy” – Sustained Title VII Finding / Responsible Management Official (RMO):

On March 20, 2022, Phoenix VA Police Lieutenant Joshua FISTER (W/M) approached Lead Police Officer Sergeant Matthew Bennett (B/M) and Officer Leonard Chandler (W/M) while they were having lunch. After speaking with them, FISTER followed Chandler into the restroom.

In a sworn affidavit, Chandler testified under oath that FISTER asked how often he hung out with Bennett and whether they were close friends.

Chandler stated:

“He said I was hanging out with the enemy.”

Chandler further stated under oath that he believes Bennett was treated unfairly and that racial discrimination is “very possible.”

Bennett documented the incident the same day in a formal Memorandum for Record. Text messages between Bennett and Chandler confirm the conversation.

This racial incident was included in the Department of Veterans Affairs Final Agency Decision, VA Case No. 200P-644-2022-147530. The Agency found a Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII violation based on race (racially hostile work environment). Joshua FISTER was named the Responsible Management Official (RMO). The Agency ordered FISTER to receive mandatory EEO training on hostile work environments and directed that disciplinary action be considered against him.

This sustained finding of racial misconduct by a Phoenix VA Police supervisor is Brady/Giglio impeachment material.

These records were obtained from public court filings in Ramirez v. Phoenix Veterans Affairs Police Department et al., Case No. 2:25-cv-00959 (D. Ariz.) and VA Case No. 200P-644-2022-147530.