CFD Deputy Chief Accused Of Scam, Bias Against Breastfeeding Mom

CHICAGO, IL — A Chicago Fire Department deputy district chief has been demoted after he and a paramedic-in-charge under his command participated in a timekeeping scam, according to a report by the Chicago Sun-Times. Court records show the chief also discriminated against a nursing mother who he worked with. Paramedic Karen Spriesch wanted to continue working for a few more months after she told her supervisor she was pregnant, but was immediately placed on administrative leave, the Sun-Times reported.

After she gave birth, she was repeatedly denied break time to pump, and her breasts became so engorged that she was reduced to tears, according to the report.

Court records show that Deputy District Chief Edgar Ignacio Silvestrini, chief of the Emergency Medical Services division, told Spriesch's supervisor to deny her requests to take breaks. The chief said that if she left to pump, she would be considered "absent without leave." Her request to speak directly to Ignacio Silvestrini was denied, the Sun-Times reported.

Ignacio Silvestrini, who earned $156,360 a year, also allowed a paramedic-in-charge under his command to regularly leave early for medical education classes without clocking out appropriately, according to an earlier report by the Sun-Times. He also allowed firefighters to submit "inaccurate" mileage reimbursement reports, an arbitrator said. Ignacio Silvestrini has been permanently demoted and faces a suspension for looking the other way, according to the report.

Ignacio Silvestrini's alleged discrimination against Spriesch resulted in a policy change — pregnant women are now allowed to decide when they want to go on maternity leave and are offered regular breaks after giving birth. The fire department said it will "continue to improve working conditions for all."

Top image via Chicago Fire Department