A Bridgeport fire captain has been arrested and placed on leave after he stole more than $15,000 from an organization for minority firefighters, a city spokesman said.
Darrien L. Penix, 43, was arrested Monday and charged with second-degree larceny, said Terron Jones, a spokesman for Bridgeport emergency services.
A police investigation showed the former president of The Firebird Society of Bridgeport Connecticut stole $15,230.18 from the organization, spending the money on personal items like car repairs and trips, according to a police report. Police say he used the group’s credit and debit cards to make the purchases.
The report said Penix admitted last month in a text message to the group’s vice president, Joseph Kirkland, that he “[expletive’d] up royally” and that he would turn in his key to the organization’s Barnum Avenue office and bring a check.
It wasn’t clear Tuesday whether he ever repaid the group.
Penix is being paid while on leave, as required by contract, Fire Chief Richard Thode said.
“We are disappointed to hear of these allegations and will take any further appropriate actions if these charges are found to be true,” Thode said in a written statement. “While we await the outcome of an investigation being conducted by the fire department’s executive officer, Capt. Darrien Penix has been placed on administrative leave with pay, per union contract.”
Det. Frank Podpolucha of the police department’s financial crimes unit conducted the investigation.
———
©2019 The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Conn.)
Visit The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Conn.) at www.courant.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
