At least three Augusta firefighters are on leave while an Augusta Human Resources Department investigation involving a female firefighter continues.
The reason for the investigation has not been officially disclosed. Sources inside the Augusta Fire Department indicate that it’s due to an alleged sexual assault involving one or more firefighters.
According to sources close to the case, the investigation began when a female firefighter claimed she had been sexually assaulted by a fellow firefighter and also claimed that marijuana was being sold and used at the fire station where she works. She allegedly offered to show proof of the drug sales via text messages saved on her cell phone, the source said.
A different source close to the investigation stated that at least three male firefighters have been placed on leave due to the allegations. Augusta Fire Department spokesman Jason Dehart verified that the female firefighter has been allowed to remain on the job during the investigation, but he declined to comment further.
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According to sources who know all the individuals involved, the three men who are documented as being on suspension are all appealing their cases. Those sources say at least two of the men have successfully passed a drug test and expect to be reinstated on their jobs.
Five firefighters either resigned or were terminated due to failing random drug tests between 2017 and 2019, according to a report provided by the fire department.
Sources say the male firefighter alleged to have committed the sexual assault categorically denies the charge and told investigators that the woman was engaged in disseminating soft porn on the internet and sharing the photos with other employees at the Fire Department.
Photographs of the female firefighter accessed through her social media accounts show that she has used several pseudonyms across multiple social media platforms to post risqué pictures of herself online. Her social media page also includes a post with a bag filled with what appears to be dried green leaves on one social media account. The bag is labeled, “Thank you for supporting my small business.”
The substance in the bag is not identified. However, one of the suspended firefighters alleged the female firefighter was the one selling marijuana to others at the precinct. The post was under a pseudonym.
The fire department’s social media policy warns employees not to post anything that might portray the organization in an “illegal or negative manner.” The posts on public sites did not give any indication of the female firefighter’s employer, nor did she post any pictures of departmental equipment or taken on government property.
However, the firefighter was on temporary disability while operating a for-pay site, which may violate city policy that prohibits employees from moonlighting in any way while on temporary disability leave, according to the Augusta Policy and Procedures Manual. The firefighter, according to sources familiar with the case, is said to have suffered an injury on the job that kept her out of work.
District 10 Commissioner John Clarke says he is following the matter closely but has full confidence in Chief Antonio Burden.
“This is a really tough situation, but I firmly believe that he will handle it appropriately. I think he has done a hell of a job so far, and I trust his leadership. We just have to be patient and let them conduct their investigations,” Clarke said.
Scott Hudson is the Senior Reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
