A federal grand jury has been convened to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct by D.C. Fire and EMS employees, sources within the agency told The Examiner on Monday.
In the last several days, the grand jury has heard sworn testimony from as many as nine fire department employees, who told stories about sex for pay in D.C.’s firehouses, government sources said.
The grand jury was reviewing evidence uncovered by a newly formed internal affairs unit comprising D.C. police and fire officials.
D.C. Fire Chief Dennis Rubin, who was hired seven months ago to turn around a maligned and demoralized agency, welcomed the grand jury probe, saying the investigation demonstrated that his administration was open, honest and transparent.
“Nothing will be swept under the carpet,” Rubin said.
Since August, the internal affairs unit has focused on numerous allegations of sexual misconduct, including reports that as many as a dozen fire department employees were involved in a prostitution ring.
When the prostitution allegations first broke last month, Mayor Adrian Fenty held a news conference in front of a Southeast Washington fire house, promising to get to the bottom of the matter.
Fenty and his police and fire chiefs were questioned about a host of rumors involving the fire department, but declined to divulge details of the probe.
Rubin ordered background checks of all fire department employees, starting with himself and his top four chiefs. Employees also will have to take drug and alcohol tests.
At least three employees have come forward with accusations that workers were getting plum assignments, employee bonuses or other preferential treatment in exchange for sex, fire officials confirmed.
The investigation has resulted already in the arrest of Sgt. Darryl Green, 42, a veteran firefighter. He was charged with indecent exposure after a female co-worker said he exposed himself to her.
Members of the internal affairs unit went back and interviewed the woman after a second female employee in August accused Green of similar acts. Green subsequently resigned from the department.
He could not be reached for comment.
No other fire officials have been dismissed as part of the sexual misconduct allegations, fire officials said. At least one witness has been moved from one engine company to another.
Got a tip on the D.C. Fire Department? Call Scott McCabe at 202-459-4950 or e-mail [email protected].
