Ohio fire capt. resigns over fake doctor note

The 25-year veteran allegedly submitted a fake doctor’s note to allow him to stay home rather than return to light duty

July 16, 2015 09:06 AM

Journal-News

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — Middletown fire Capt. Greg Justice, who is facing felony charges, submitted his resignation Tuesday, stating he will retire.

“It is may understanding his letter said he will retire effective today (Tuesday),” Middletown Law Director Les Landen told the Journal-News.

Justice, 52, of Springboro, a 25-year veteran of the department, was indicted Friday on three counts of forgery, a fifth-degree felony, and two counts of tampering with records, a third-degree felony, in connection with allegedly submitting a fake doctor’s note to allow him to stay home rather that return to light duty. He was arraigned the same day by Butler County Common Pleas Judge Jennifer McElfresh and released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to be back in court for a pre-trial hearing on Aug. 6.

Justice, who has been on paid administrative leave since June 30, was accused of forging his doctor’s signature on medical records to extend the time that he could stay home on injured leave. Middletown police originally investigated an allegation that he received nearly $3,000 in compensation for time he should not have been on leave, but Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser said that is not the basis of the alleged crimes.

“There was no actual theft of money. That was believed to be true at the time of the investigation,” Gmoser said.

The prosecutor said Justice was already on paid injured leave, but forged a document that allowed him to stay home rather than return to light duty with the city.

“The city is moving forward with its internal procedures. This case began when (Fire) Chief Lolli noticed some discrepancies on paperwork submitted by Capt. Justice regarding his paid leave. The chief brought his concerns to the attention of the director of public safety, David VanArsdale. The matter was referred to the Middletown police department for further investigation. As the investigation proceeded, the Butler County Prosecutor’s office was brought into the process,” Landen said.