Criminal Charges Expected in Case Related to D.C. Fire/EMS Prostitution Claims
WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- 9NEWS NOW has learned that criminal charges are expected to be filed shortly against the man whose accusations sparked a probe into a possible prostitution ring involving DC Fire and EMS employees.
Also, Mayor Adrian Fenty has planned a press conference on Wednesday in front of the firehouse at the center of the sexual misconduct accusations.
The criminal charges stem from a July incident, where a civilian EMS worker accused a firefighter of exposing himself inside the quarters of Engine 8 in Southeast Washington. The firefighter was a sergeant who was assigned as a battalion chief's aid. The sergeant was off-duty and the EMS worker was on-duty at the time. This prompted both an internal affairs and a criminal investigation involving the Metropolitan Police Department.
Sources say the sergeant was also accused by female EMS workers of providing overtime in exchange for sex. Battalion Chief Kenneth Crosswhite, confirmed on Tuesday that 3 women came forward making that allegation.
The sergeant resigned from the department within a week of the initial allegations. But sources say he provided information to investigators about a sex ring within the DC Fire and EMS Department. The allegations centered around Engine 27 on Minnesota Avenue, NE. That story was first reported on Friday by reporter Matthew Cella with The Washington Times.
Sources familiar with the prostitution investigation tell 9NEWS NOW that the probe is still very active and that investigators have been interviewing those whose names were provided by the former sergeant.
At noon on Wednesday, DC Fire & EMS Chief Dennis Rubin and Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier are scheduled to join Mayor Fenty at Engine 27. DC government sources tell 9News Now the city officials are expected to talk about the initial criminal charges and assure the community that they getting to the bottom of these accusations.
DC Fire and EMS has set up a tip line in the case. Anyone with information is asked to call 202-673-3677.
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