Another Florida Scandal--More pictures on the Net

[captstanm1]

From Bay News 9

Firefighter sheds fire suit for birthday suit?
Friday, July 1, 2005

A Port Richey firefighter is suspected of posting nude pictures of himself on the Internet.

But the man in question says it's a case of mistaken identity.

Tim Fussell, Port Richey's fire chief, said the Internet photos were indeed one of his firefighters.

"That's him," Fussell said. "There's no question it's him."

The man in the nude photos is apparently off duty and clearly not in uniform.

Fussell is investigating how the naked pictures got on the Internet. The City of Port Richey believes that posing for this kind of site is substandard of what they would expect of an employee. Fussell said the employee is in grave danger of losing his job.

"If it turns out that he was in a pornographic position, he may lose his job over it," Fussell said.

If instead the employee had pictures taken, but they were posted on a site against his will, Fussell said that would be another story.

Fire Chief Tim Fussel is investigating the matter.

"I would think that would be slander and if there was legal recourse, then there may be a chance he could save his job," Fussell said.

The firefighter said it's not him in the photos. He said the pictures were doctored or fabricated and that he has never posed nude for photos. He said that someone put his head on someone else's body and posted them to hurt him and his career.

The fire chief said this is the first time he's ever dealt with a personnel issue like this one, and that the firefighter in question is an exemplary employee.

Port Richey's city manager said the city has a zero-tolerance policy regarding pornography. He's letting the fire chief handle the matter, and said he would back the chief on any disciplinary action issued.

In accordance with Bay News 9's crime guidelines, the firefighter is not being named because he's not being charged with anything.

[sassy1]

"If it turns out that he was in a pornographic position, he may lose his job over it," Fussell said.

Hmmm...... Exactly what position did they have in mind???? I guess a Freudian slip is acceptable when it's an inadvertent pun.
I believe that many great works of art celebrate the human body as a beautiful piece of work. Don't get me wrong, I understand the standard they are trying to enforce, however, if this was not meant to be some sleaze fest peek show, and as the Firefighter claims, it was not truly him, I believe he--not his officers have the right to cry foul should an inappropriate judgment be made. After all, when not at the firehouse and on duty, we do have a right to our private lives, and our freedom to express ourselves with out fear of repercussions. I believe that would be called "censorship".

[mcaldwell]

Any more details on this one Cap?

Was it a joke site, or some porno site.

A streaking/skinny dipping shot taken while out camping and posted as a joke is one thing, participating in a porno shoot or similar is another.

Not nearly enough detail in this article to tell us what they are dealing with down there.

[sassy1]

Yeah Cap.. Give us the "skinny" on this one!

[DaSharkie]

If it was this guy, the information thus far says it was off duty and no uniform was used. In any event it was the guys personal time adnd so long as there is no threat to public safety, who in the hell are these people to tell this guy what to do when he is not on the clock?

I am sure that the city will pay him a lot of money after the court case is over if any disciplinary actions are meted out.

[mcaldwell]

Originally posted by DaSharkie
In any event it was the guys personal time and so long as there is no threat to public safety, who in the hell are these people to tell this guy what to do when he is not on the clock?

I don't totally agree with you on that one. This topic has been discussed a lot, and I think there should be some degree of a standard to the way firefighters/police officers/paramedics etc. conduct themselves on thier personal time.

If the media wasn't so quick to jump on the "Firefighter" in trouble, instead of just a guy, it might not be such as hot topic. Since they love to play that angle though, and the public loves to jump all over it, it is all part of the package.

I will agree though, that if the department/city does not have a firm policy in place that this fellow signed on to, they may be S.O.L. in regards to any action they might want to take.

[Smoke20286]

In Canada, if he was dismissed from his job solely for posing for nude pictures off duty and not in uniform. Then he would have a very good case under Human Rights legislation. No city solicitor worth his salt would allow it to occur.

[DaSharkie]

Originally posted by mcaldwell


I don't totally agree with you on that one. This topic has been discussed a lot, and I think there should be some degree of a standard to the way firefighters/police officers/paramedics etc. conduct themselves on thier personal time.

Then any criminal conduct that is a misdemeanor or felony (especially) they should be terminated.

If the guy loses his job, he WILL sue, and he WILL win (so long as he is not criminally convicted of course) and the city WILL pay LOTS of money.

I am not saying that public servants aren't held to higher standards by society, but under the law they are no different.

[captstanm1]

I tried to find something in the papers and there was not one more word on it. It may take me a while to find out (discretely) but the Chief is a Friend of mine and the second in command is also.

What you have seen here is all that I know. There was nothing in the Sunday Paper and nothing yesterday that I saw.

He contends it is not him and someone doctored a nude picture and put his head on it.

Regardless....he was not on duty, and he was not in uniform and the "ad" apparently does not even mention the fact he is a firefighter. There is no connection to the city as far as I can tell.

My question is this: Who was browsing the adds on this site and found it???????????????????

Secondly....the county he is in (Pasco) is home to more than 5 different nudist resorts and at least one nudist community. It is a lifestyle there......but it is not illegal to my knowledge.

"If it turns out that he was in a pornographic position............"

Sassy.....you got to know the Chief...He is a great guy and probably did not even realize what he said....

[sassy1]

I understand Cap!!! LOL, It was just too obvious to not play with the pun!!! Never second guess the Chief--right?! I still say it doesn't sound like a "porno" pic... just something ordinary--and nude. Nothing wrong with that!