Scathing Cal Fire Report In Wake Of Murder Puts Assistant Chief In Bad Light
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — New details are emerging after a scathing state disciplinary report about one of two Cal Fire employees who was fired last month.
The investigation comes after former Battalion Chief Orville Fleming's arrest for murdering his girlfriend that he met on an escort site.
His ex-wife says she saw a video of Fleming having sex on a fire truck, which got the attention of Cal Fire.
The 14-page report to the State Personnel Board links Assistant Chief Mike Ramirez to sexual harassment, drinking on the job and viewing explicit pictures on a state-issued cellphone.
Ramirez is one of 16 Cal Fire employees disciplined following a CHP investigation after the death of Sarah Douglas last May. Fleming went into hiding for two weeks after the murder and was eventually arrested nearby.
Fleming's estranged wife told investigators about a sex tape involving Fleming, Douglas and other firefighters, but no video was ever found.
But what was found was enough to make your jaw drop—a series of allegations that point to an abuse of power, and say that Ramirez is unfit to serve as a leader and put employees at risk.
Ramirez is appealing the ruling and will have a hearing on March 5.
In April 2012, Cal Fire found Ramirez drank on duty with subordinates during a firefighter graduation ceremony. Two years later in April 2014, an interrogation revealed he lied about seeing Fleming slap a female fire captain on the butt during a training exercise.
During that same time, Ramirez is accused of viewing partially nude pictures, and receiving a text message about a swingers club on his state-issued cellphone.
The documents go on to say, "Your attitude and actions are inconsistent with your position as a leader, manager, supervisor, trainer and mentor for Cal Fire."
Last August, the file also points to evidence he misused his state-issued vehicle. When Ramirez was supposed to be on a 24-hour rest period during the Eiler fire, the report says he was actually 200 miles away at the Country In The Park concert at Cal Expo with his wife. It also says he used the same vehicle to drive to and from the airport in lieu of his own personal car.
The attorney representing Ramirez released the following statement:
"Assistant Chief Ramirez is appealing his termination. Many of the allegations are totally lacking in merit. Others are either exaggerated or overblown. Mr. Ramirez has spent 21 years with the department and has been an exemplary employee."
Cal Fire released this statement to CBS13:
"We stand behind the disciplinary action that we took earlier this year. From the start of the investigation we have taken the allegations very serious and believe our action demonstrates that."