Pubdate: Thu, 07 Jun 2001
Source: Capital Times, The  (WI)
Copyright: 2001 The Capital Times
Contact:  http://www.thecapitaltimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/73
Author: Steven Elbow

FIREFIGHTER FIRING UPHELD

PFC Backs Amesqua's Decision In Jocko's Case

For the second time, the Madison Police and Fire Commission on 
Wednesday upheld Fire Chief Debra Amesqua's decision to fire a 
firefighter implicated in drug use in the Jocko's drug investigation.

In a unanimous decision, the commission found that Chris Gentilli, a 
20-year veteran, violated all five counts of misconduct charged by 
Amesqua.

"Certainly I agree with the Police and Fire Commission's decision," 
Amesqua said. "I believe we have proffered before the commission a 
precise and thorough and fair argument to support termination."

Gentilli's attorney, Robert Gingras, did not return messages seeking comment.

The charges against Gentilli upheld by the commission include:

He broke federal and state law repeatedly over the past 10 years by 
buying marijuana and cocaine.

He provided cocaine on at least two occasions to firefighter Lt. 
Terry Rice, who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor cocaine charges in 
federal court in December 1999.

He lied about his drug use to investigators.

He violated rules requiring firefighters to conduct themselves in a 
manner that would not bring the department into disrepute.

He violated department rules by having first-hand knowledge of drug 
use by at least four co-workers and did not tell his superiors.

Amesqua's charges came in the aftermath of a Dec. 11, 1999, raid at 
Jocko's Rocket Ship, a downtown tavern where police had suspected 
rampant drug use by employees and customers.

Amesqua has been criticized by city officials, including Mayor Sue 
Bauman, for pursuing her charges against the firefighters, a crusade 
that has to date cost the city nearly $800,000, an amount that is 
expected to rise to more than $1 million.

Last month the commission unanimously voted to fire Tracy Patterson, 
who joined the department in 1991. His attorney, David Hart, said 
Wednesday that Patterson has decided not to appeal the decision.

The commission is deliberating the fate of three other firefighters - 
Dave Barlow, Paul Elvord and Marc Behrend - who have been suspended 
with pay pending the commission's decision.

In the cases of Barlow and Elvord, the firefighters' lawyers have 
finished presenting written arguments and a decision from the PFC 
could come at any time, according to the commission's counsel, Scott 
Herrick. In the interest of speed, the commission will allow oral 
rather than written arguments Monday in Behrend's case, Herrick said.

Because of the complications of handling so many disciplinary cases 
at the same time, the commission held off on charges against 
firefighters Dan Madden and Joseph Reznikoff, who were also 
implicated in the Jocko's probe. Herrick said those cases may be 
taken up by the commission this summer after the other five cases 
have been resolved.

Unlike the other five firefighters, Madden and Reznikoff were not 
suspended with pay. Because their alleged violations are not as 
serious as the other five, Amesqua had originally asked to PFC to 
suspend them without pay for one year and to subject them to random 
drug testing for three years. But because the PFC has determined it 
does not have the authority to impose random drug testing, Amesqua 
said she is now seeking their termination.
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