Tag Archives: sick leave abuse

Mass Civil Service Commission Renders a Split Decision in Boston Discipline Case

The Massachusetts Civil Service Commission has upheld in part, and reversed in part, discipline of a Boston firefighter on charges of insubordination, unbecoming behavior, and being absent without leave.

Nashville Firefighter Claims Discipline Over Sick Leave is Retaliation

A Nashville firefighter who is suing the city contending his earlier discipline violated his First Amendment rights, has been disciplined again resulting in him amending his original complaint to include retaliation. The complex case involves firefighter Josh Lipscomb, who is a comedian under the stage name Josh Black.

Dallas Firefighter Charged With Felony Theft For COVID Related Sick Leave Abuse

A Dallas firefighter who took COVID-related sick leave earlier this year, is facing criminal charges for stealing $12,548.86 in wages from the city. William Carter, 38, was arrested and charged by the Dallas Police Department last week.

COVID-Related Cases in the Headlines

Two COVID-related cases are in the Fire Law News. In the Northern Mariana Islands, nine firefighters who were terminated for refusing to get a COVID-19 vaccination, have filed suit claiming the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services and its commissioner, Dennis Mendiola violated their Constitutional rights.

St. Paul Investigating Sick Leave Abuse

Officials in St. Paul are investigating whether three officers misused their sick leave, costing the city ten of thousands of dollars. ABC Channel 5 is reporting that the three “are under investigation for allegedly defrauding the department of sick pay.”

Sick Leave Abuse or Family Medical Leave Act Violation

Today’s burning question: I was a probationary firefighter and used accrued sick and vacation leave to take care of my wife and children, but my employer fired me. Do I have a case? Answer: While as a probationary employee you are an employee at-will, an employer cannot discriminate nor violate statutory rights that are granted by state and federal law.

RI Firefighter Settles Sick Leave Abuse Termination Case for $175k

A Rhode Island firefighter who was terminated for sick leave abuse in 2015, has agreed to resign and accept a $175,000 settlement rather than continue to fight for reinstatement. Patrick White, a 15-year veteran of the Tiverton Fire Department, was fired in early 2015 for alleged sick leave abuse.

Sick Leave and Hypocrisy

Today’s burning question: My fire department has a sick leave policy that states "Members of the Department on sick leave, when not hospitalized, are expected to remain at home, unless authorized by a physician for light duty." There are exceptions for medical care, prescriptions, etc. Is this a legal and supportable policy?

Patterson Settles Retaliation Suit With Dispatcher For $80k

A New Jersey dispatcher who sued the Patterson Fire Department in federal court over harassment he sustained after reporting misconduct by two firefighters has received an $80,000 settlement. Robert Connizzo claimed that co-workers harassed, assaulted, and retaliated against him for informing superior officers about a conversation he overheard on a recorded line.

Tucson Medic Indicted For Sick Leave OT Fraud

A Tucson Fire Department paramedic is facing criminal charges for his role in a sick leave-overtime scam intended to pad his pension. Herbert Oxnam was indicted on four felony counts of fraud for conduct that took place on a series of dates between May and August, 2013.

Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone