Boston police are probing allegations of kickbacks and misuse of taxpayer funds at the city's firefighter training academy, including claims that recruits were improperly asked to pay for gear and materials that already were purchased with department cash, the Herald has learned.
"The Boston Police Department has been interviewing guys who worked at the academy," Boston Firefighters Local 718 president Richard Paris told the Herald yesterday.
Among those being interviewed are instructors who worked at the academy on Moon Island, Paris said. He added that the questioning has focused on the use of department training money.
Dot Joyce, a spokeswoman for Mayor Thomas M. Menino, said: "I wouldn't comment on an ongoing investigation, other than to say that the mayor's priority has always been the integrity of all his departments. He would expect that all involved would be cooperating fully."
Sources close to the probe said investigators from the BPD's anti-corruption unit have been questioning Boston Fire Department employees about payments made by recruits allegedly for gear and other materials for the job that are regularly funded in the city budget. Investigators also are probing allegations that a private vendor paid off the personal credit card of a BFD employee, a source close to the probe said.
BFD spokesman Steve MacDonald said he was "unaware" of the probe. Fire Commissioner Roderick Fraser was out of town and unavailable for comment, officials said.
Boston police spokesman Sgt. Michael McCarthy said: "We don't comment on ongoing investigations, nor do we confirm or deny the existence of any anti-corruption inquiries."
News of the probe comes as the Herald has reported that Quincy officials cited the BFD for failing to obtain a permit to build a new two-story house at the department's training site on Moon Island. The island is owned by Boston but lies geographically in the city of Quincy. BFD officials said the structure is a training "prop" but have refused to say how the building was paid for or who built it. The department also has repeatedly refused to allow the Herald access to the island. Yesterday, MacDonald said the Herald could tour the property next week.
The bridge to the island is manned by Boston Public Health Commission, which restricts access to employees and others doing business on the island.
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McClatchy-Tribune News Service
