By Vic Vela
The Albuquerque Journal
LOS ALAMOS, N.M. — Ten Los Alamos firefighters face disciplinary action after a recent investigation — prompted by a case of voyeurism at a fire station last year — found that pornographic images were being viewed on fire department computers.
The news marks the latest black eye for the Los Alamos Fire Department. One firefighter resigned in the voyeurism case and another quit after being charged with indecent exposure.
Two of the firefighters who face possible discipline in the porn investigation are ranking officers, according to Fire Chief Doug Tucker. The actions of “a few” met the standard for suspension, he said.
But Tucker would not say how many may end up being suspended as the firefighters have the right to appeal the chief’s proposed administrative action.
Tucker said the investigation was launched at Fire Station 3 in White Rock more than six months ago, on the heels of former fire Capt. Aaron Adair being charged with videotaping a female firefighter in her bathroom at the station.
Tucker said he wanted to determine whether others at the fire station had downloaded video of the female firefighter onto computers. He ended up finding out that some of the computers contained other “inappropriate material.”
Tucker has not personally seen any of the images that were found but did say that, “to the best of my knowledge, there were no actual sexual acts” depicted.
Still, the chief said the viewing of sexually explicit material of any sort is frowned upon, especially on computers paid for by taxpayers.
“I use the theory, if your grandmother saw it, would she be embarrassed if she saw you viewing it?” Tucker said.
At first, the investigation began with 30 firefighters being linked to the problems, but Tucker said that number was greatly reduced after further review.
“The majority had no inappropriate material,” the chief said.
The incident involving Adair ended with the former captain resigning from the department and receiving probation after pleading no contest to charges of voyeurism and tampering with evidence.
Several weeks after Adair was charged, another LAPD firefighter, Brandon Gore, was charged with exposing himself to a woman near a bridge in Bernalillo County. Gore told a deputy sheriff he was drunk, stopped to urinate and forgot to zip his pants before walking off.
He also ended up resigning from the department after he was placed on paid administrative leave, according to Tucker.
Copyright 2011 Albuquerque Journal