35 Cleveland firefighters face discipline for part-time work

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland officials say 35 firefighters face disciplinary hearings for violating city policies on part-time employment while working for a company that de-ices airplanes at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

The city’s investigation was prompted by a WOIO-TV report in February about firefighters working for a Montreal-based company called Aero Mag. Fire Chief Patrick Kelly says the firefighters violated city rules when they either failed to get permission to work for the company or exceeded a 20-hour-a-week limit. The chief says some violated both rules.

Kelly says firefighter William Colberg, who is listed on the company website as one of its regional directors, remains under investigation. A message was left at a telephone number listed for Colberg.

The chief can suspend the firefighters without pay for three 24-hour shifts.