News report: Houston firefighters covering shifts for cash payments
Retired HFD captain defends payment practice
In Houston, Texas KTRK-TV reporter Miya Shay says that firefighters who want a shift covered are paying other firefighters hundreds of dollars. A member of the Houston City Council believes these firefighters are committing tax fraud. The report cites the criminal cases against 13 Cleveland firefighters for a similar practice.
Interestingly, when interviewed, a spokesperson for the Houston Fire Department did not condemn the practice saying, “We don’t condone it; our policy doesn’t regulate or even mention the trade for cash.”
The firefighter tells Eyewitness News that while trading a shift is perfectly legal, now it is difficult to find firefighters willing to trade a shift, unless there is additional cash payment involved. He says the going rate is $250 to $350 per shift for most days. However, the price could sky rocket if a firefighter wants to find someone to work for him during a holiday or for example, during the Super Bowl.
“You’re potentially making an extra twelve grand a year untaxed; you’re kind of screwing everybody else.”
Eyewitness News was directed to a Facebook page called HFD Extra Shifts. In the description, it specifically tells members not to talk about prices on the page. On another Facebook page dedicated to HFD spouses, we were shown a number of postings where wives asked for riders. One typical posting read: “My husband is looking for a rider tomorrow… In case anyone’s husband is looking to make some extra money.”
The practice surprised Houston City Council Member Dave Martin. “This isn’t trading shifts; this is selling shifts, selling shifts for cash.”
