The Blade
TOLEDO, Ohio — The president of the union representing Toledo’s rank and file firefighters persisted with the union’s vigorous and determined lobbying against the department’s chief by demanding the Lucas County prosecutor have him “investigated and prosecuted.”
Jeff Romstadt, Toledo Firefighters Local 92 president, sent a letter last week to Prosecutor Julia Bates regarding the September, 2011 case of Kevin Wolever — a former city fire inspector found not guilty by reason of insanity on charges of firing a gun at two city fire stations.
“It has come to Local 92’s attention that during the course of the criminal investigation by Toledo police, [Chief] Luis Santiago ... likely obstructed and/or tampered with evidence and/or engaged in other potential criminal wrongdoing,” the letter said. “Luis Santiago must be held accountable for jeopardizing the safety of Toledo firefighters and the public as a whole.”
Mr. Romstadt has previously claimed that Chief Santiago did not provide police with a threatening letter from Mr. Wolever that would have helped their investigation. Chief Santiago has vehemently denied the claim several times and said the letter only suggested harm against him.
Mrs. Bates, in a letter today to the union president, said the matter was “professionally and thoroughly investigated” by police and has since been closed.
“This office has reexamined and re-evaluated this entire matter yet again and we concluded that there is no further action necessary or required,” Mrs. Bates said in her letter.
Mr. Wolever is the son of retired fire chief Mike Wolever.
Chief Santiago could not be immediately reached for comment.
Copyright 2015 The Blade
All Rights Reserved