CLEVELAND — The twelve firefighters who pleaded guilty earlier this month to engaging in a shift-trading scheme can return to work.
Cleveland.com reported that the men will not be reimbursed for the eight months they spent on unpaid leave after being indicted on theft in office and conspiracy to receive improper compensation charges.
On Feb. 10, 12 of the 13 firefighters pleaded guilty to the conspiracy count and were ordered to pay court costs, according to the report. So far, five firefighters have completed payment, records show. One firefighter is still fighting the charges.
In addition to the back pay ban, they were ruled ineligible to transfer to the battalion where they were working while they were trading shifts and barred from trading any shifts for six months, according to the report.
One firefighter pleaded not guilty during the hearings, but was found guilty, according to the report. He is not eligible to transfer from his assignment or trade any shifts for a year, but did not agree not to file a grievance, according to a city spokeswoman.
Local 93 President Frank Szabo echoed comments he made to the Plain Dealer after the firefighters pleaded guilty in court, saying, “This entire incident could have been handled differently.”