CLEVELAND – Thirteen Cleveland firefighters were indicted on theft charges on Wednesday as a result of a July 2011 audit.
The investigation by the Cleveland Division of Internal Audit found that some firefighters were hiring other people to work their shifts, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office said.
From 2006 to 2010, 13 firefighters did not work 2,000 hours, approximately one year, of scheduled time, the audit found. This allowed them to work a second full-time job.
Despite the fact that they were not logging hours with the Cleveland Division of Fire, the workers were still getting their yearly salary, insurance benefits, pension, clothing allowance and sick time.
“The public’s trust was violated. In addition to not working and receiving full pay, these individuals abused the system and collected retirement, vacation, medical and other benefits,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Tim McGinty in a news release. They caused other firefighters to work multiple days without rest. Fatigued firefighters put the safety of the people who are in danger at risk as well as their fellow firefighters.”
The following people were indicted on one count each of theft in office and soliciting or receiving improper compensation:
Calvin Robinson, 52, of Cleveland
Kevin Dever, 42, of Cleveland
Bernard Fronhapple, 51, of Rocky River
Barry Kifus, 40, of Painesville
Kevin P. Kelly, 52, of Olmsted Falls
James Oleksiak, 44, of Cleveland
Robert Graham, 50, of Lakewood
Michael Milano, 53, of Broadview Heights
Nicholas Rucella, 49, of Cleveland
Gary McNamara, 48, of Bay Village
Peter Corso, 47, of Concord
Thomas Jurcisin, 51, of Cleveland
Daniel Losteiner, 45, of Cleveland
The prosecutor’s office said Robinson did not work more than 8,000 hours, which is equal to four and a half years.