Cobb Firefighters Disciplined After Steroid Probe

by Rodney Thrash

Three Cobb firefighters have been disciplined in recent days in the wake of an investigation into alleged steroid distribution and use among county firefighters and police officers.

While Lt. Rick Bennett was cleared Monday of any wrongdoing, engineer Jody Cochran and firefighter Vaughn D. Zellers were suspended Friday without pay, according to letters Chief Sam Heaton sent to the men.

Firefighter Darnell Musgrove received the most severe punishment. He was terminated Monday because he allegedly lied during the course of the investigation, changed his story multiple times and acknowledged continued use of non-prescribed steroids as recently as June, Heaton wrote in a memo to Musgrove.

The county's investigation began May 20 after the Marietta Cobb Smyrna Narcotics Unit received a tip that a former firefighter may have illegally used steroids in 2010. Following additional claims that other firefighters and a police officer could be involved, the investigation expanded, he said. In all, five firefighters and one police officer were under investigation.

Firefighter Craig Nemeth resigned June 14 and police Ofc. E.A. Meadors followed suit on July 1, according to their resignation letters.

There are no indications that the alleged distribution or use of steroids occurred on county property or while the employees were on duty, Quigley said. However, Cobb has a zero tolerance policy for the possession or consumption of controlled substances unless directed by a physician.

"We expect our employees to follow the rules, to set a positive example for those around them and to hold themselves to the highest standards of conduct both on and off duty," county manager David Hankerson said in July.