Wellesley firefighters who rescued Crosby not allowed to keep generous Degeneres cruise gift because of ethics laws.

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Raw video of dog rescue on Charles River

Kelly A. Mello, Wellsley Patch:

Due to Massachusetts ethics laws, the four firefighters who rescued Crosby from the icy Charles River cannot accept the cruise offered to them by "The Ellen Degeneres Show."

Captain Jim Dennehy, lieutenant Paul Delaney, firefighter Dave Papazian and firefighter Joan Cullinan were invited to the show after "The Ellen Degeneres Show" learned of the rescue that occurred Dec. 22.

"It was a nice gesture on Ellen’s part and the firefighters were surprised by that, but state statute is very clear, so we FedExed the vouchers back to the Ellen show," Wellesley Fire Chief Richard DeLorie told Boston.com.

The law states that municipal employees may not accept gifts and gratuities valued at $50 or more given to influence their official actions or because of their official position.

"The Ellen Degeneres Show" also gave the firefighters personalized life vests. They were able to keep them, however, as they were considered a novelty item.

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