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Fire the government crooks -
expect the ones that give me money -
Mayor Rahm Emanuel
The mayor said he has “zero tolerance” for abuse of taxpayer money - But ... when they give him money, it's a different story Dismissing firefighters might cost more than mileage racked up, Emanuel says By Kristen Mack Clout Street 6:07 p.m. CDT, August 3, 2011 Mayor Rahm Emanuel agrees that Chicago firefighters accused of padding their mileage misused taxpayer money, but expressed frustration Wednesday that it could cost more to terminate them than the $100,000 racked up in reimbursements. “This is classic (case of) getting caught between a rock and a hard place. I understand that perfection would be fire all 54 (firefighters),” Emanuel said. “That’s where we’re caught. I’ve talked to the (fire) commissioner about dealing with this systemically, culturally and then, if we need to, on a personnel basis.” City Inspector General Joseph Ferguson recommended the mayor fire 54 firefighters assigned to the Fire Prevention Bureau for allegedly falsifying their mileage reports, according to sources familiar with the report. Firefighters assigned to the bureau use their personal vehicles to get to and from inspections. The discrepancy totaled more than $100,000 in 2009, the sources said. Investigators detected fraud by comparing the reported mileage to the actual distance between addresses. Emanuel said the mileage padding appeared to be systemic. “It’s clear that this has a history, meaning it’s repetitive,” he said. The mayor said he has “zero tolerance” for abuse of taxpayer money. In a “perfect, ideal world” he said he would fire the firefighters, but it’s not that simple. The union contract allows firefighters to go through a grievance process, which could drag on for several months and end up costing the city more than the $100,000 in violations, Emanuel said. Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff already has made changes at the leadership level, according to fire department spokesman Larry Langford, who would not cite specifics or name the individuals affected. As for the other employees, the disciplinary process will take time. The Fire Department’s internal affairs division will conduct its own investigation using the inspector general’s report as a template, Langford said. Inspector general investigators generally interview the individuals in a case and get statements from them under oath. “We will make sure discipline is fair and doled out accordingly,” Langford said. “Unlike with the IG, the member has a chance to rebut the charges.” Discipline is progressive, ranging from an oral reprimand to termination, Langford said. The city will take into account an individual’s track record and whether he or she has been disciplined before. That process is expected to take several weeks. The Fire Prevention Bureau has 115 positions and a budget of $8.1 million. The average salary for inspectors is $80,000. Ferguson is recommending that in addition to firing the 54 inspectors, Emanuel consider folding the bureau’s functions into the building department. |