Oak Lawn Firefighter Suspended for Submitted Fraudulent Clothing Invoice

Oak Lawn, IL -- An Oak Lawn firefighter/paramedic received a one-day suspension after submitting a fraudulent clothing invoice for reimbursement, according to a leaked memo from the fire chief.

The memo dated June 21, 2016, details a meeting held the day prior among the firefighter/paramedic, Paul Colson, Chief George Sheets, Battalion Chief Mike Jensen, Assistant Chief Scott Boman, and Lt. Mike McMillan, who is also the secretary/treasurer of the firefighters union.

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According to yearly salary information posted on the Village of Oak Lawn website, Colson, who earned $135,876 in 2015, including his base salary, overtime and allowances, insurance, pension benefits and taxes, allegedly submitted a false invoice for uniform items.

The allegation is acknowledged in the “notice of discipline" memo provided to Patch.

“During the meeting, you acknowledged that in 2015, you purchased uniform items in the amount of $822.33 and returned the items before being reimbursed by the Village,” Sheets wrote. ”In 2016 you again attempted to submit receipts for reimbursement of uniform items that had been returned or cancelled.”

Per the 2011-14 collective bargaining agreement between the village and Oak Lawn Professional Firefighters Union Local 3405 , the village provides firefighters/paramedics a clothing allowance of $900 through a voucher system.

Under the voucher system, the village provides all needed clothing items for each firefighter and paramedic. Such items can include pants, uniform tops as well as personal protective gear also known as “turnout gear,” including bunker pants, bunker coat, helmets and/or boots up to maximum annual clothing allowance.

Clothing purchases require advance approval from the Oak Lawn fire chief or his designee, according to the terms of the contract.

The voucher system does not require firefighters/paramedics to use specific vendors; however, if a particular vendor does not accept the village vouchers, then the employee has the option of paying cash for clothing items and submitting an invoice for reimbursement.

Also, if a firefighter/paramedic purchases one or more items of turnout gear that would exceed the annual allowance or unspent allowance, the village will advance the cost of up to $1,500, to be repaid by the employee within three years. The balance can also be taken out of the next year’s clothing allowance in an amount no greater than $500, per the contract.

During each contract period, the village will replace all bunker gear on a one-time basis for each employee.

The firefighters’ contract expired Dec. 31, 2014. The village and firefighters’ union are currently in arbitration for a new collective bargaining agreement. Until then, the expired contract remains in effect.

In his memo to Colson, the fire chief indicated that he took Colson’s truthfulness, extent of cooperation and openness into consideration" when determining punishment.

Sheets further stated in the disciplinary memo:

“The charges and your conduct are extremely serious and a ‘slap in the face’ of the publicly stated vision and mission of this organization, and I might add the oath you took when sworn into office.”

Colson opted to take a shift suspension, in lieu of proceeding with a hearing for a suspension greater than 24 hours. The firefighter/paramedic also agreed to reimburse the village for $822.33 before July 1, 2016.

The memo was initialed by Sheets signaling the binding agreement. Sheets confirmed it was his initials but would not comment further “as this is a personnel matter.”

An email to Local 3405 president, OLFD Lt. Vince Griffin, seeking comment was not returned.