ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — An investigation is underway into a city worker’s claim that a fire chief dropped his pants inside a city building last week.
The Press of Atlantic City reported that Chief Dennis Brooks is on administrative leave pending the investigation.
On Tuesday, reporters obtained a letter from the city worker’s lawyer detailing the alleged incident. The woman was working the metal detector at the public safety building March 5, when Chief Brook came in around 11:30 a.m.
“Chief Brooks then proceeded to undo and drop his pants and advised (redacted name), ‘I am having a bad day,’” the letter stated.
Her lawyer is waiting to see how the investigation goes before deciding whether to take legal action.
Last week, the Beach Patrol union alleged that Chief Brooks tried to retaliate against members after his daughter did not get a job as a lifeguard. The union was trying to fight a move to put the Beach Patrol under fire department control.
In late 2012, the fire union cast a “no confidence” vote against Brooks and Deputy Chief Vince Granese, who is now acting chief with Brooks on leave.
The union cited a “lack of leadership and safety concerns before, during and after Hurricane Sandy,” according to the report.
“Until all the facts are out there, you can’t go off of hearsay,” fire union President Chris Emmell said. “If it happened, I hope he gets help.”
Chief Brooks did not comment on the allegations