Denver fire chief bagged hundreds of hours of comp time at memorials, parties, sports games and more

Denver's municipal code appears to explicitly forbid the department's executive staff from accruing comp time, but the chief billed $42,000 in comp time in 2021, 2022 and 2023 for funerals, retirement parties, the MLB All-Star Game and more.

[@jayanderson6016]

He'll retire with full pension and benefits and never face any charges for this!

[@kendallevans4079]

Yup! probably 80% of his highest pay level, full medical.

[@_DB.COOPER]

Why should he face charges, he was working representing the city.

[@kendallevans4079]

@@_DB.COOPER It's called "FRAUD" look it up 🤡

[@adamthornberry8475]

​ @_DB.COOPER Because like many administrative officers or officials, his is very likely a SALARIED position.

[@_DB.COOPER]

@@adamthornberry8475 EVEN salaried people get compensated for the time they work off duty so what is your point?

[@Shell2014]

Every public department needs to have annual audits, to help find fraud…..

[@tetchuma]

It costs tax dollars…

[@brandonsmith2299]

Tax dollars that would be worth every cent apparently. I think government officials in general should follow a annual audit as well

[@emjay2045]

Yup. But they take from public education.

[@Willtellthetruth]

This isn't technically fraud if he actually attended the events, and there's no indication (thus far) that he didn't attend the events.

[@Shell2014]

@@Willtellthetruth rewatch and comprehend what you have watched

[@BernardLimpet-qd8bk]

$230,000 a yr of tax payer $'s ain't enough for you?

[@emjay2045]

“Greed is good !” He has Botox to pay for

[@svongsa]

He needs more, 6 kids to feed

[@CourageUnderFire87]

He has to pay for his wife’s plastic surgery somehow

[@anthonyholder7629]

But but taxes lollol

[@donbush9091]

Padding their Pension Nice Job

[@junkboxxxxxx]

The guy testified in shadow because he knows they protect each other like a gang

[@kendallevans4079]

Exactly! It's a "club"

[@user-rb8cs3jo8p]

This is the truest statement I’ve heard. cops do protect each other like gang members. Their a little club.this is some of the worst to, i’ve watched cops do it for each other, it is really terrible. sit and watch them lie through their teeth knowing damn well that they understand what’s going on and they’re always sorry because they got caught and only sorry because they got caught.

[@SpartacusColo]

You mean he testified incognito because he probably will be retaliated against??? OMG!

[@kendallevans4079]

@@SpartacusColo Just ask Chris Darden!.....Oh wait, you can't

[@jamesdoonbeg]

@@kendallevans4079 it’s the good old boy corruption club!

[@gringoboy701]

Imagine how nice this country would be if all our tax dollars actually got spent honestly and efficiently.

[@TakManSan]

Lack of accountability encourages corruption.

[@markmalasics3413]

How is it "lack of accountability"? It sounds more like "Over-the-top sour grapes" because someone is making money that you don't personally like. Too bad we can't hold people like YOU to the same level of accountability that you demand from others. Anything to show off your You Tube University education, right? 😂😂😂

[@214jef]

He’s salaried. He gets paid to do everything he is doing without submitting comp time. No one in payroll thought to look into this?

[@kevinmeyer8068]

City council is elected to oversee the spending of the city. Each month they get a list of bills that need to be payed. Coucil member can pull a bill and ask questions if needed. If he makes 230k a check for 4,423.08 should be written. if it changes each week the city controller and council members are not doing their jobs.

[@SpartacusColo]

@@kevinmeyer8068 Have you seen Denver's city council?

[@OlRubberNuts]

Dude look up politicians your head will explode

[@markmalasics3413]

LOL, so because he is salaried he should get 40 hours of pay if he works 75 hours a week? Grow TF up. I was also salaried and anything I worked beyond 40 hours I was able to get comp time for. Nobody should work for free.

[@SpartacusColo]

@@markmalasics3413 Yeah, I'm sure the chief was "working" for 13.5 hours at MLB's homerun derby. It was probably vital to the functioning of the fire department.

[@jeffscott405]

Retired fire chief here, since I was salary I attended events like this on my time. This is crazy. This chief should be ashamed and gives the fire service a black eye

[@Synoopy2]

I think he probably spent hours and hours of brain power trying to figure out how to squeeze every little bit of comp time out of the department. Thats hard work in itself.

[@SpartacusColo]

@@Synoopy2 The guy was with the department for 22 years before becoming chief. I wouldn't be shocked if this has been a long-abused policy and he thought, "My turn!"

[@DonWalker-gv1ws]

Thank you for service, and doing it with honor and integrity.

[@mesmartgnome]

Former salaried employee here. I’ve never seen anyone get comp time for basic job functions. It’s why they’re paid salary.

[@papagen00]

@@DonWalker-gv1ws do you believe everything you read on the internets?

[@49erDiner]

El Jefe pets a Dalmatian and wants 3 hours of compensation.

[@joshuasteel2109]

Greed

[@845835]

Ultimate team player as long as he is being compensated.

[@charlesdowning8405]

This one is easy: Theft. This "chief" and his command staff need to be sent home. Then, he needs to be billed for every hour he misappropriated from the City. Then, he can be charged with the felony theft. People like this have no business rolling around in Denver equipment, much less issuing orders.

[@not.a.comic.]

Go take over then, chief.

[@charlesdowning8405]

@@not.a.comic. let me guess. You’re ok with theft as long as it’s one of “us.” I believe I could do a better job than him at not ripping off the city. I could go to a bar mitzvah and not try to bill it back as comp time, I know that much. For whatever that may be worth.

[@_DB.COOPER]

It’s not illegal.

[@GoalWalker]

The city paid him that amount. The city approved the time cards. Due diligence is needed on both sides. Plus, we are only getting one side of the story. Most viewers here are forming their own opinions without getting the other two sides of the story: the chief's side and the truth.

[@_DB.COOPER]

@@GoalWalker they signed off on his time sheets, it’s really that simple. So many jealous people in the world because they chose the wrong profession.

[@michaelbegay9573]

And regular firefighters are probably hassled by department if they get so much as .5hrs O/T. 😳🤔🧐

[@Look_What_You_Did]

Trumptard.

[@BamBam88]

Actually, fire fighters checks all have OT on them because they don't work a regular schedule like us. They work 24hrs or 48hrs straight, and then have a couple days off and then work again... their work week is not 40hrs... it be like 52-55hrs.

[@BamBam88]

The Chief probably got in trouble because im assuming like police, lieutenant on up don't get paid O/T. They're salary is what it is regardless if they work over, go to a funeral on duty, work a large sporting event, etc. Again... this is me assuming

[@alacey3347]

@@BamBam88 no sadly firefighters do not get OT for their 24/48’s that are regularly scheduled but if they take an Overtime day they get 24 hours of overtime.

[@emjay2045]

Yup

[@nml5536]

who is approving the timecards?

[@emjay2045]

No one. That’s how they do it

[@nspro931]

@@emjay2045 Who entered the numbers into the computer? Who signed the check?

[@SpartacusColo]

Either low-level serfs who are instructed to rubber stamp it. Or someone else who is doing the same sort of thing.

[@alanaldpal950]

The chief 🙄

[@Marco_El_Afro-Latino]

One of the chief's fellow good ol boys

[@gabrielfair724]

Nobody is trying to fix the root problems we have in this country. Everyone is stuck focusing on making enough money so that the problems don't apply to them anymore.

[@ianstephens333]

Couldn’t have said it better myself

[@freesparks1931]

Couldn't agree with you more, when I was a kid, I thought $150K per year would solve all of my problems. Now I feel like I live in poverty, and believe me when I tell you, I live well within my means.

[@ReganBenson]

Thank you Brian. It’s about time.

[@carylosborn1808]

He should be made to pay every penny back that he stole!

[@GoalWalker]

They paid him that amount. They approved the time cards. Due diligence is needed on both sides.

[@abrakadabrah3031]

He ain't the only one 😢😢😢😢

[@Vic82toire]

For sure.

[@user-dw1ls3rp1l]

If 230k isn't enough for him, my dollar says he has a gambling problem.

[@mizzury54]

No, it's just pure greed.

[@sweetnsalty4728]

Wow...assuming

[@user-dw1ls3rp1l]

@@mizzury54 Are they mutually exclusive? I would argue they are one and the same.

[@dannyboy6754]

I've was a Volunteer Firefighter for 25 years. Retired as a Fire Chief still volunteer. This guy is a complete disgrace to not only the department, but to the entire Brother and Sister hood of all Fire agencies. But the big one is to the community and state of the people. The trust of the community and state must be earned and this idiot must be held accountable. I truly hope that Denver Colorado can do much better. I'm very sure they have very good people on the Departments that can replace an abuser of the people. Stay safe everyone and don't forget making sure your smoke detectors work and have fresh batteries. 😊👨‍🚒👩‍🚒🚒🔥

[@JaneDoey]

How much work do you city firefighters actually do in a day? Maybe like a half hour of actual "work"?

[@davidnowicki4024]

Pay me 230 K and they're won't be any comp time. 24/7 .

[@prp134]

That is absolutely wild!!! He charges fraudulent comp time and then has the nerve to sell that time back!!!!

[@mikeaustin5359]

Busted...Seems like he's abused the process but this seems to be a situation of "don't hate the player, hate the game". The comp time practice is the issue!

[@tigerprincess11]

Some departments agree to pay comp time for their employees to make public appearances… sorry, but instead of going after him, how about asking the city why they approved it 🤷‍♀️

[@marketpliers5516]

They didn’t approve it. That’s the problem

[@tigerprincess11]

@@marketpliers5516 where was that said? It is possible I missed it

[@marketpliers5516]

@@tigerprincess11at 4:00 it says the code states they are not permitted to use comp time. He was clocking the times himself and it got overlooked

[@Look_What_You_Did]

You don't live here.

[@charliefleming3251]

A funeral, a Club Q vigil, retirement parties, sports and more are not public appearances.

[@hankgs]

As a professional firefighter, this is beyond disgraceful. This Chief should be removed from his position immediately and demoted (to reduce his retirement pay).

[@juju-xx5xn]

He should be fired, outright. No demotion, just fired. Dock his pension for the fraudulent time he racked up. What a disgrace. Corrupt fire chief.

[@hisomebodytrackingmuch1309]

Can the State sue him to regain those funds?

[@philliplopez8745]

The fish always rots from the head . Never let public servants become comfortable in their position, especially law enforcement they are your employees, not your friends .

[@NealB123]

Chief knows how to game the system for sure. At least until he got caught. Really needs to be fired.

[@joshroten3997]

So many Chiefs think they are above the rules. Denver’s rules clearly say: Chief, Deputy Chiefs, and Division Chiefs may not accrue comp time - end of story. He violated city rules. Discipline him for the violation and change the system to better monitor-audit what is going on with regards to manager’s time sheets.

[@nspro931]

Source for the rules you quote?

[@EM-re5xq]

JAIL. This is fraud.

[@user-qj1wh4vm2d]

Damn right! This is an insult for all firefighters, and their families. And this guy makes too much money anyway! Sad example of public service!

[@budm2528]

@@user-qj1wh4vm2d same can be said for trump. If the law, pertain to fraud, is so easy to uphold and convict, donnie should be in jail for life. Likely all presidents ad politicians really....

[@TrollAlert-xv6qg]

@@user-qj1wh4vm2dwrong

[@Dashawn.B]

Reminds me of the MTA worker in New York who made $344K in overtime in one year aside from his 461K salary.

[@mizzury54]

The guy whose identity is hidden nailed it when he said " I wouldn't ".

[@euanreid6682]

Getting paid to have a free dinner... omg what a clown.😂

[@KoniB.]

As a former City Administrator, from years experience, may I say this is a disgusting pig of a practice by dept's. that are "overseen" by management who later are claiming NO knowledge of it? Those managers are getting paid to "oversee". Not doing so makes them guilting of the same pig of a practice.

[@afropick5934]

As a Fire Chief, I am confident in stating that this is not typical behavior for an executive fire officer. The expectation is to be present at the firehouse alongside your team, motivated by dedication rather than mere obligation. Additionally, participating in events outside of regular hours is a standard part of the role, justified by the $230,000 annual salary.

[@chadsoltys4127]

if this chief has been doing this for years I'd bet my left nut it's occurring in other fire and police departments as well, I don't think this is an isolated incident AT ALL!

[@LondonCalling12]

Wow, good reporting work

[@casienwhey]

Charging a fee to attend a memorial service for a fallen hero? Does it get any lower or more shameless than that?

[@iwishpeoplecaredagain]

Oh what taxpayer's pay for

[@evanmurphey]

Yup

[@danthompson6067]

He needs to be fired and with no pension. He need to pay back all the funds he stole. What a disgrace.

[@rlford10]

The fact that no one reviewed these horrific overtime / comp time reports is, in itself, a total embarrassment to Denver. Armando Saldate, the Fire Chief's immediate supervisor, must be viewed as responsible, as he admits to not knowing anything about it! Who the hell is guarding the henhouse? Only foxes?!? Pathetic!

[@Justin-dy2ib]

The Chief values his time and never does anything for free. This Chief should be the Gold Standard. Great leader. Promote to Mayor.

[@CourageUnderFire87]

Going to events is VOLUNTARY time! You don’t get paid for that !!! LOCK HIM UP

[@SylviaHolman-ef8fv]

Well he doesn't make enough money in an annual salary. He's a RIP off, con artist.

[@karalyndurnell]

Shame. What's worse is that this is just one person we hear about abusing their position of power. 3 years someone did payroll for all that, and they are just getting found out for it now? 😂 what a slap in the face to all those that show up because it's simply the right thing to do. Damn Shame.

[@NoNameNumberTwo]

Real journalism. Thank you, Brian Maas.

[@Mac_The_Rat]

over 200k for firefighting? Thats insane.

[@kimberlyfamoly5863]

As the Chief he should be required to attend most these events and his time should be compensated, that is time he could spend with his family. Especially when he is in uniform as a representative.

[@KennethGreenCMP]

Oh no, NO one in the city saw these records. Thank you for bring this to light. But they did see them and were okay with him doing it.

[@NaiSaetern-tp6fi]

This is crazy.. he needs to go to jail for life.

[@karenouye]

Geez what a horrid example of leadership

[@danielx555]

Once I got my outrage out of the way, I realized that he has to be a salaried employee. A position like that has to be a salaried position. And billing for hours on top of a salary is just the definition of selfishness.

[@chadsoltys4127]

no, it's the definition of stealing, he needs to be FIRED!

[@adam1885282]

The overtime game is part of firefighter culture, it's happening across the US

[@Mac-ix4qp]

It happens, though it shouldn't. If employees can fill out their own time sheets and use time codes. I worked with a few individuals at the phone company who racked up OT and security cameras showed the going into a break room to nap, or take a walk around the neighborhood. Thousands of dollars charged to the company. When caught they were fired. The Union represented them at a hearing, but they were gone.

[@ralphee7487]

Fire Fighters = Professional Truck Washer.

[@ccfarm]

So sad. As a daughter of a first responder this just makes me sick!

[@NicJackson83]

Change the law

[@annabelle1471]

if he was going to these events as part of his job then why isn’t it comp time? the video doesn’t give enough detail about his job requirements / comp time rules

[@dehoyosrudolph8885]

Fireman traditionally work one 24 hour day, then two days off. So he’s attending these events on his days off. Fireman usually only work 88 days a year. The practice of selling your unused vacation time, before you retire is weird. Most municipalities make you use your vacation time, or loose them. Only when you retire are you allowed to sell them back to the municipality, but usually only 2 years worth. You can also sell back unused sick time also, when you retire.

[@Kris-sw1mc]

@@dehoyosrudolph8885Fire Chiefs dont work 24 hour shifts. He probably is 9-5. There should be more information to this. If he is being told he has to attend this, then by all means he should be paid. Just my opinion though

[@chadcameron4080]

​@@Kris-sw1mcExactly......these are functions where he is representing the dept and should be compensated for his time. Unless his contract with the city states compensation for these functions are included in the 230k yearly salary. Need to see his contract before judgment.

[@arfriedman4577]

My dad was a city union president for 11 years. He cleaned up the previous mess and left the union in great monetary shape. He went to events on his own time if it was outside of work hours. If he was called for emergency in middle of the night, he went.

[@greencountrymc926]

How has he not been relieved of duty pending an investigation? He clearly has questionable decision making.

[@phxamigo]

Should be charged with theft

[@smeador00]

What a PoS. I have no doubt this is more widespread than just this guy, and fully believe police are also doing the same.

[@dixiebrick]

The moral of the story? When the chief was on comp time the department ran smoothly in other words his position is obsolete.

[@williamlloyd3769]

What the heck was Payroll Department and Internal Audit doing all these years? Were the payroll rules written that loosely? Are there other people and / or city departments also billing Comp Time? PS - City has incredibly weak internal controls if this story is correct.

[@fnln544]

Isn’t the Chief already compensated enough? Most administrators have limited comp time as a part of their contract.

[@sango_wango851]

I get it - at that sort of position there are expectations outside of what are expected from the normal rank and file. But that's literally why you make the big bucks compared to the normal rank and file.

[@matthewclark8651]

Shows he’s never really given a crap about the rank and file

[@Padoinky]

No one actively auditing and policing government employees… graft and corruption/fraud pervasive throughout the ranks… those that are in leadership roles, wherein there is legitimate reasons for non-standard hours worked, such as this guy, should be moved from hourly, to salary pay basis

[@thomasdecarlo8543]

He needs to pay back all that comp time and be fired …

[@Johngoodman454]

Never trust a cop or government guys 😮

[@510Live]

This guy is a firefighter and a whistleblower, that’s a real hero.

[@jennifershanks453]

Shameful!

[@5911Faraar]

“Time is money”… his motto! 😵‍💫

[@robc9108]

my dad was a denver fire fighter for 35 years this gross. fire him asap

[@heiliger1000]

They say that someone's real character is revealed by how they act when they think nobody is watching. I worked with someone a few years ago who got fired for clocking in for work and staying clocked in during periods of time she wasn't at work. Who knows how much money she got that she didn't earn. Some folks simply have no shame.

[@yatyas311]

And.... we act like politicians would neeevvver doooo thisssss.

[@boulderingbadger6179]

Rah

[@HawksDiesel]

This is why audits need to happen and happen often. This is sad and shameful. $230,000 /yr on taxpayers $$ and that's STILL NOT ENOUGH?! Way to give the fire service a black eye. If he wants community service, let's give it to him.... 10,000+ hours. Give back what you took from the municipality!!

[@4rmDEC2FRE]

Usual suspects get the all jobs and do the least amount of work.

[@grmmjhnsn2]

Yikes. I thought it might be a few unsightly moments, there is a LAUNDRY LIST of events here. The chief needs to step down. He's taken advantage of the people of Denver for years. Very unfortunate.

[@fatdaddio3796]

This isn’t unusual around the country. the public just doesn’t know about it. Chief doesn’t make overtime but comp time is agree upon in his contract.

[@maxpayne7419]

I like how the Chief’s boss claimed to know not be aware of this. Does he really think that’s believable given he would have to SIGN OFF ON IT? 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Osay1216]

The question would be if the time after a 40 hour week? If it's overtime he is entitled to be compensated by comp or money. It's a culture that needs to have better oversight. His position may should not have comp time or if they get it they should have a use or lose policy

[@izzo2998]

What the...? Dude is salaried and exempt but wants to act like he's hourly?

[@kayfurlano1462]

Someone also wasn’t doing their job by authorizing the comp time. If no one was looking over his timesheet and accepting his requests without scrutinizing it first needs to be investigated too! Salaried employees do not get overtime. Everyone knows that!

[@chadsoltys4127]

I am sooooo sick of hearing about corruption occurring within ALL government or publicly funded jobs, they are supposed to work for the citizens not steal from them! There NEEDS to be a complete overhaul of these positions.

[@kennyw7453]

What a role model

[@d.b.1176]

Corado is turning into the new Florida.

[@scott2228]

When ur paid so well but want even more. Its disgusting.

[@danrodrigues3531]

6.5 hours for the All-Star game and another 7 hours for the home run derby? The game is about 3 hours and the derby sure as hell doesn't take 7 hours to complete. This guy is a disgrace. Any other firefighter that goes to the same events probably do them without receiving any additional pay but this guy made sure to fleece the city more and more...

[@karlad4082]

I would like to know who approved the comp time as well.

[@oll1998]

I'm not understanding a few things. He's salaried, right? Is he required to perform these duties, like is it part of the position? Are these hours outside of his contract?

[@stevenmccann2891]

He wouldve fired Any of the fire fighters he supervised- for stealing time, had it been them. Very Shameful.

[@everydaydave]

I always thought salary base personnel could not get comp or pay “OT”.

[@garfstiglz3981]

If he was formally requested to attend these functions and memorials as Chief and if it was out of hours in his own timem why shouldn't he be paid?

[@peggysmart439]

Where is all the pot money for schools?

[@shane7133]

WTF are you even talking about? How does that have anything to do with a "hero" scamming his community?

[@tpatrickl9539]

23 other states added recreational weed over the past decade. Where do you think it’s gone? Colorado had a golden goose for a few years, now it’s business as usual. The weed money is not as prolific as it once. There still is a nice little sum available every year. It’s not what it was and it’s never going to be again. Now, go back to yelling at those kids on your lawn!

[@Look_What_You_Did]

@@tpatrickl9539 BS... It is a monster industry in CO.

[@tpatrickl9539]

@@Look_What_You_Did get a life, BS is what you’re full of.

[@peggysmart439]

@@shane7133 wtf do you know....The money of Colorado is being put in pockets of are corrupt leaders all the time...Pot tax disappears never to improve what it was designated for...

[@leannhorne8459]

When I stop by to visit my boss, then bill them for it. 😂 that’s gold! Gross

[@williambeatty7781]

He should be fired for abusing the comp time system. It was purely a money grab !

[@donfinstad1685]

At my job, we come to work, then go home. We do absolutely nothing related to work outside of normal work hours. This whole thing is foreign to me.

[@JohnDoe-bi4ho]

He charged the tax payers for years. It’s time the tax payers puts him in prison

[@robertnunn3015]

What a shock a corrupt government official !

[@dandelionsarefree7436]

Well if he’s a salaried employee, some of those things are expected as part of his job. They need to rewrite the SOP’S for the job description ASAP