Evansville Captain Councilman Facing Backlash For Drinking

Posted by: Curt Varone February 10, 2012 1 Comment

An Evansville, Indiana fire captain who is also a city councilman is facing termination after he was accused of drinking  following a council meeting, and before returning to duty with the fire department.

Evansville Fire Department Captain Al Lindsey, a Sixth Ward city councilman, was suspended and placed on unpaid administrative leave following the January 23, 2012 incident.  Fire Chief Mike Connelly suspended Lindsey, and has recommended termination to the fire merit commission.

Lindsey admitted to being in a bar following the council meeting, but denies he had anything alcoholic to drink. While in the bar he had a heated disagreement with another councilperson, Missy Mosby. Someone thereafter reported the incident to the mayor.

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About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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