By Mari Robyn Jones
The Tampa Tribune
Copyright 2007 The Tribune Co. Publishes The Tampa Tribune
TAMPA, Fla. — A firefighter accused of making threatening statements, including ones against a superior, was fired this week, a spokesman said.
Firefighter Paul Sanzone says he isn’t a threat to anyone, adding he has been a victim of harassment since he was injured at work.
Sanzone, 39, worked at Tampa Fire Rescue for more than 17 years. He was dismissed Tuesday because of statements he made in January and April, Capt. Bill Wade said.
Sanzone is accused of making threats at the city’s workers’ compensation office in January.
“The threats were taken serious enough that he was referred for evaluation and counseling,” Wade said.
According to disciplinary records, when Sanzone returned to work in April, he told a co-worker that he was being harassed, particularly by Personnel Chief Dennis Phillips. Phillips oversees workers’ compensation issues, Wade said.
Sanzone then said he was going to throw Phillips “out the window,” according to the records.
On Wednesday, Sanzone said he made similar statements, but the records have taken them out of context.
Sanzone said he injured his back in 2003 and was re-injured in 2006. Ever since, he said, he has had problems getting workers’ compensation benefits.
According to Sanzone, he said, “I’d like to” throw Phillips out the window. When he made the remark, he said, he was in pain, his blood pressure was high, and he had taken the prescription Percocet.
“I was lethargic. I couldn’t get out the chair,” Sanzone said. “It’s wrong what they’re doing to me. I never laid a hand on them. I would never do that. I’m not going to jail for anybody. I’ve got a family.”
Sanzone said he feels his civil rights have been violated and plans to hire a lawyer.
The records, however, say the statements violated a city policy that, among other things, prohibits “being offensive or antagonistic, either physically or verbally.”
Citing “current events in this country and the nature of the threats,” Wade said, “the threats were handled in a very serious manner.”
Researcher Catherine Hammer contributed to this report. Reporter Mari Robyn Jones can be reached at (813) 259-7638 or .
Photo: Paul Sanzone
The 17-year veteran says his statements are being taken out of context.