By Matthew Cella and Gary Emerling
The Washington Times
Washington D.C. Fire Chief Dennis L. Rubin and his staff are currently investigating allegations of a prostitution ring inside D.C. firehouses. |
WASHINGTON, D.C. — D.C. fire officials yesterday said an investigation into reports of a prostitution ring operating out some of the city's firehouses has also yielded three reports of employees being asked to exchange sex for lucrative overtime assignments.
"We know of three incidents that are being investigated," said Battalion Chief Kenneth Crosswhite, a spokesman for Fire Chief Dennis L. Rubin.
The Washington Times first reported last week on the investigation into the prostitution claim. That investigation is focusing on Engine 27, at 4201 Minnesota Ave. NE.
Chief Crosswhite said no action has been taken against any employee in connection with the investigation, but sources say an arrest is imminent in the case of a former fire department sergeant who resigned after reports that he exposed himself to a female colleague.
Chief Rubin and Mayor Adrian M. Fenty have scheduled a noon press conference today at Engine 27 to discuss the prostitution investigation. They are also expected to announce criminal charges against the former sergeant.
Sources say investigators have learned of three female fire department employees who say the former sergeant offered them overtime in exchange for sex.
Sources close to the investigation told The Times that the former sergeant has said that as many as a dozen employees stationed with at least four fire companies citywide were involved in a prostitution ring.
The sources say the ring was referred to as "D.C. Fems" — a play on the acronym for the city's Fire and Emergency Medical Services department.
The sources say investigators are looking into whether female emergency medical technicians performed sex acts for money on men, including male fire department employees, in the bunkhouses of fire stations since late last year. The prostitution may also have occurred at other locations.
The prostitution claim is unrelated to the incident for which the former sergeant is expected to face charges.
Sources said that incident occurred July 30 in the lounge area of Engine 8 at 1520 C St. SE.
Chief Rubin put the sergeant accused of exposing himself on administrative leave after the incident was reported, and the sergeant soon after resigned from the department.
Fire officials today are also expected to announce that they have established a tip line, at 202/673-3677, for anyone who wishes to contact the department's internal affairs unit with information about any case.
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