Macon-Bibb County Fire Chief Marvin Riggins talked to five firefighters Monday who were punished last week for their involvement in a firehouse hazing prank.
At least two showed up for their meetings in dress uniforms Monday morning.
The interviews were part of the firefighters' due process rights before Riggins issues his final disciplinary decision, which he must do by the end of the day Wednesday, said mayoral spokesman Clay Murphey.
Murphey said there was no indication yet on whether Riggins had decided to reopen the investigation based on Monday's interviews with the firefighters. A phone message left for Riggins was not returned early Monday evening.
The fire chief said Friday that he would consider reopening the investigation if new information or evidence came to light that was credible.
Murphey and Mayor Robert Reichert said they had asked for Riggins to keep them informed of developments in the process, but both men said they had no information regarding the hearings or the investigation as of Monday evening.
"I haven't heard anything yet," Reichert said.
A video posted on the online site YouTube, titled "Rookie Prank," showed a masked gunman inside the Peake Road fire station brandishing a gun. At one point in the video, the man snatches a firefighter and drags him off-screen, followed soon by what sounds like a gunshot.
Riggins has recommended firing one firefighter, and his other punishments range from a demotion to 10 days of suspension. City officials said last week that supervisors' punishments in the case were less severe because they had no prior knowledge of the hoax.
On Friday, The Telegraph viewed a longer version of the video, which showed one supervisor, Capt. Stephanie Burke, gathering with other firefighters after the prank had ended and laughing with them. Riggins said her reaction did not necessarily mean that she knew about the prank before it happened.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
