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Lawyer for ex-firefighter works to avoid already-set arson trial
The fired firefighter was suspended for two weeks in a separate incident.
YOUNGSTOWN — An ex-city firefighter fired after being charged with arson and criminal damaging is to go on trial Jan. 13 to answer the two misdemeanor counts.
But the city prosecutor’s office and Elizabeth Bernard, the attorney for former firefighter Patrick B. George, told Magistrate Anthony Sertick Jr. of Youngstown Municipal Court on Friday that they are working on a resolution to avoid a trial.
Police charged George, 33, of Eden Lane, in September with the two misdemeanors.
George, one of three partners in a large-trash-container business, is accused of burning a computer owned by the business.
On Oct. 16, city Fire Chief John J. O’Neill Jr. fired George, an 11-year department veteran.
In an Oct. 13 letter from the chief to George, O’Neill wrote: “You have tarnished the image of the Youngstown Fire Department by your actions on Sept. 26, and have destroyed the confidence that your co-workers and city leaders have in you to serve and protect our community.”
During the summer, O’Neill suspended George for two weeks “because you left the station without authorization. Your explanation of your actions at that time largely related to your personal off-the-job issues with the company of which you are a part-owner.”
George, who earned $50,927 in base salary last year, filed a grievance to be reinstated as a firefighter.
The two misdemeanor charges aren’t the only legal troubles facing George.
He was charged Oct. 30 by Youngstown police with driving under the influence, running a red light and driving on the wrong side of the road. George refused to take a breath-alcohol test. He was arraigned Oct. 31 by Youngstown Judge Robert Milich. A pretrial hearing on the charges is scheduled for Dec. 15.
skolnick@vindy.com