Firefighter charged with misdemeanor arson

YOUNGSTOWN — An 11-year veteran of the Youngstown Fire Department accused of burning a business computer is on unpaid leave pending dismissal, fire chief said.

Firefighter Patrick George, 33, of Eden Lane was arraigned today in municipal court on misdemeanor charges of arson and criminal damaging. He will be back in court Nov. 21.

Fire Chief John J. O’Neill Jr. said today that George is a partner in a large trash container business and the computer he is accused of burning belonged to the business. O’Neill said there was a dispute between the three partners and George took the computer to his home and burned it in the garage last Friday night.

“It’s intolerable for fireman to be involved like that, the dispute is irrelevant, he maliciously destroyed something of value and was charged,” O’Neill said. “A firefighter charged with arson has to be dealt with swiftly.”

O’Neill said George was placed on leave today and it is the intention of the city to terminate his employment.