A D.C. Council member urged that Fire Chief Dennis Rubin be legally “sanctioned” for his agency’s runaway budget, saying Rubin has turned a blind eye to overtime “abuse or misuse” and mismanaged the city’s rescue service.

Councilman Phil Mendelson, D-at large, said that the fire department’s budget is out of control and is breaking federal spending laws. In a letter written last week, he urged the finance office to “act aggressively” and “instill financial discipline.”