LOS ANGELES -- The city's fire chief, given his job a decade ago with a mandate to stamp out racism and sexism, is leaving amid controversy over a black firefighter's claim that his white colleagues served him spaghetti with dog food. Chief William Bamattre announced Friday that he will retire on Jan. 1. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa praised Bamattre as a "class act" and dedicated firefighter. But at the same time he indicated he had lost confidence in the chief's leadership, calling Bamattre's departure a "joint decision." Bamattre, 54, issued a statement saying he stands on his record with the department,...
