Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
For the second time in a week, the FDNY EMS is in the news over racist Tweets.
EMS Lieutenant Timothy Dluhos, whose Twitter name is Bad Lieutenant, was confronted about his posts by NY Post reporters outside his Staten Island home. The posts included references to Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is Jewish, as “King Heeb”, black people as “coloreds”, and Asians as “chinks”. To add to the problem his profile picture was Adolf Hitler.
Lt. Dluhos reportedly broke down during the confrontation with reporters, reduced to tears saying “My life is ruined. Oh, my God, I’m so sorry.”
Last week FDNY EMT Joseph Cassano agreed to resign after revelation of his racist and sexist remarks set off a firestorm of controversy. Cassano is the son of FDNY Commissioner Sal Cassano, prompting minority groups to question whether racism goes all the way to the top.
Lt. Dluhos has been suspended from FDNY for 30 days while the matter is investigated. More on the story.
