Trenton's fire union says a deputy chief is retiring because he does not want to carry out the fire director's unethical orders.
Robert Tharp was named deputy chief earlier this year and Firemen's Mutual Benevolent Association Union President Wayne Wolk said he's made significant improvements to the department.
"Tharp is that stand-up guy," Wolk told a reporter at NJ.com.
Now, Wolk says, Tharp is going to retire because he feels that Fire Director Qareeb Bashir's orders are unethical in charging two firefighters for their involvement in a past lawsuit.
Wolk said that Bashir asked Tharp to find charges against Capt. Jim Hall and Deputy Chief Leonard Carmichael, who were named in a lawsuit by then-firefighter Jesse Diaz.
Diaz, who said he received retaliation in 2012 by firefighters for reporting a racial slur, won a $750,000 verdict earlier this year.
Tharp said there were no charges to be found, but Bashir pushed the issue with Tharp, ordering him to find a reason for charges.
"He's the type of guy who will do the right thing, no matter what side it falls on," Wolk said.
Tharp refused and told colleagues this week that he will retire.
"This is a sad day for the fire department," Wolk said.
