Dinner For the Guys Turned Out to be Dinner For Guy
COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA, DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF Guy Wine was fired yesterday (Wednesday) effective immediately following his theft of $100 from one of the firehouses.
The infraction dates back to September 1 when a man who had been rescued from a stuck elevator dropped by Station 1 with a donation of $100 as a thank-you for the action. When he approached the door of the firehouse he met Chief Wine and handed him the envelope containing the cash, explaining to him that it was meant to be used to buy dinner for the entire crew. Wine accepted it and pocketed the envelope.
Guy Wine
(Florida Today file photo)
Florida Today continues:
Wine failed to turn in the cash until Fire Chief Ryan Duckworth confronted him roughly three weeks later.
(City Manager Chuck) Billias said Wine should have immediately handed over the donation to be recorded and accounted for by an administrative assistant. Rather, as days passed, two fire captains questioned Wine about the money — but he told one captain he "believed the gentleman left us $50" and gave a "vague" response to the other captain, according to their sworn statements.
Wine was placed on paid administrative leave Sept. 20 amid an internal investigation. Billias fired him Wednesday — effective immediately — for inappropriate possession of property, violation of personnel policies and unsatisfactory conduct.
"Your actions have upset the resident and shaken the trust and confidence of fire department staff. The city relies on those in leadership positions to set a standard and example for all employees," Billias wrote in the termination letter.
Read the full STORY HERE.
Read the initial charging letter to Wine and the subsequent letter of termination HERE (.pdf format).
Cocoa Beach Fire Department WEBSITE.
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