Philly fire union says action recommended against 7 so far in sex scandal
Philadelphia’s firefighters union is confirming 13 of its firefighters and paramedics are being investigated for alleged sexual misconduct and disciplinary action has been recommended against seven.
Union President Joseph Schulle (SHOO’-lee) discussed the allegations at a news conference Friday.
He demanded the city provide the union with a full version of a city oversight agency’s report on the case.
The union says a heavily redacted version of an inspector general’s report recommends discipline for two battalion chiefs, two firefighters, a captain, a lieutenant and a paramedic.
Schulle said the union has only received information on seven fire department workers who are going to be disciplined.
They include a battalion chief who never had sex with the paramedic and four employees who had “adult, consensual, off-duty” relationships” with her, Schulle said.
“There is no legitimate reason why they will not provide us with the full report,” he said, saying the union needed to know why other members weren’t facing discipline.
He also contended that the woman was coerced into filing complaints.
“She forced by the department to file the complaint,” he said. The woman wasn’t allowed to speak to a lawyer or union representative, he said, and was told she would have to sign a statement saying nothing inappropriate occurred if she didn’t make the complaint.
