By James McCarty
Cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Eleven of 13 city firefighters pleaded not guilty this morning to theft in office and soliciting or receiving improper compensation, charges stemming from accusations that they illegally paid co-workers to cover most of their shifts.
The firefighters, who were suspended without pay last week, each face up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine if convicted of the felony theft-in-office charges.
They also could be subject to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine and a seven-year ban from public employment if convicted of the misdemeanor charges of soliciting or receiving improper compensation.
Full story: 11 of 13 Cleveland firefighters plead not guilty to charges in payroll abuse case