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Fire Inspectors Face Disciplinary Hearing

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By ELLEN GEDALIUS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 15, 2007

TAMPA - Two veteran fire inspectors are accused of accepting hockey tickets, golf tournament entry fees and the use of a boat from a company whose work is inspected by the fire marshal's office, an apparent violation of city ethics policy and state law.

Manuel Perrone, a fire inspector, and Toy Pelaez, a senior inspector, will be the subject of disciplinary hearings Monday afternoon, Fire Chief Dennis Jones said late Friday. He also said the scope of the investigation could widen to include more accusations against other inspectors.

As of Friday, no disciplinary action had been taken against Perrone and Pelaez.

Perrone is accused of accepting the use of a 30-foot Sea Ray boat for him and his son from Greg Thomas, the president of Tampa-based Advanced Engineered Systems, a company that installs fire alarm systems in large buildings. He also is accused of accepting concert and hockey tickets from Advanced Engineered, as well as accepting entry fees for three or four golf tournaments.

In addition, Perrone is accused of falsifying time sheets by recording an additional 20 hours of work during a four-week time period, as well as requesting five hours of overtime pay for which he was not eligible, according to a copy of his disciplinary notice.

Perrone, whose annual salary is about $80,000, has been employed with the city for more than 21 years, city records show.

Pelaez stands accused of accepting hockey tickets three or four times by calling an Advanced Engineered employee to solicit the tickets. His time sheet also is in question; he is accused of recording an additional 31 hours and 34 minutes in a four-week period and claiming 16 hours of overtime pay for which he was ineligible, according to a copy of his disciplinary notice.

Pelaez, whose salary also is about $80,000, has been employed with the city for more than 25 years.

Attempts to reach Perrone and Pelaez were unsuccessful late Friday.

John Lauro, an attorney for Advanced Engineered, said late Friday that the company intends to cooperate with the city's investigation. He said Advanced Engineered has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

Jones said the investigation began in September 2006, when Fire Marshal Todd Spear told him he had learned of "alleged irregularities" in the fire marshal's office. Jones and Spear then met with other city officials, including representatives from the police department. They decided to launch a criminal inquiry, which is ongoing.

Jones would not elaborate on his discussion with Spear.

On Wednesday, city officials interviewed six fire inspectors. Two, Perrone and Pelaez, will face hearings Monday.

"That doesn't mean other inspectors won't also be charged with policy violations," Jones said.

Fourteen inspectors work for the city fire marshal's office. Some focus on new construction while others focus on existing buildings. Both Perrone and Pelaez handle new construction.

Inspectors ensure buildings meet fire codes. For example, they determine whether buildings require sprinkler systems. They check that fire exits are well-marked and that fire doors close properly.

When buildings are in the planning stages, inspectors review design plans to make sure exits are well-located and alarm systems are adequate, among other things.

Asked whether the inspection process was compromised by the gifts, Jones replied, "We feel all city facilities that have been inspected are safe."

He would not say whether the department had reinspected any buildings since the investigation began.

City code prohibits officials from misusing their position to "secure, by coercion or threat or otherwise, a special privilege." Officials also are prohibited from accepting gifts in connection with any business transaction that "can be reasonably inferred as intended to influence the performance of an official act."

Perrone and Pelaez are accused of neglecting duties and moral turpitude. Repercussions range from a letter of reprimand to termination. Criminal charges also could be filed.

Union President Larry Parker said he spoke to Pelaez, whom he described as "devastated" by the charges.

"We're disappointed any time one of our employees has charges filed against them," Parker said.

However, Parker said he doesn't see any evidence the inspectors were granting favors in exchange for the tickets and other privileges. He said he hopes, if the charges do prove true, the punishment will be short of termination.

Jones, too, said he was disappointed.

"I take all of these things very personally," he said. "We have focused on doing things the right way, with decency and respect. We have tried to take a hard line on all matters of ethics and human decency."

This is not the first scandal to affect the fire department on Mayor Pam Iorio's watch.

In 2004, Iorio forced then-chief Aria Green to resign 15 months after she appointed him head of the department. She cited low morale in the firefighters union and a lack of leadership.

In 2005, photos of naked strippers in a fire station surfaced, costing a fire chief and a former union president their jobs. A few weeks later, Jones apologized for sending lewd jokes and pictures by e-mail before becoming chief.

Iorio did not return a call for comment.

Reporter Ellen Gedalius can be reached at (813) 259-7679 or egedalius@tampatrib.com.

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