Fire Capt.-Adminstrative Leave

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   Middletown Fire captain on administrative leave

By Lauren Pack

Staff Writer 
MIDDLETOWN — 
A longtime Middletown firefighter and union president has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation, according to documents obtained by the Journal-News.

Capt. Greg Justice, of Springboro, was placed on leave June 30, according to a letter dated June 30 and signed by Middletown City Manager Douglas Adkins.

“You are hereby placed on paid administrative leave effective immediately. You shall remain on such leave until you are further notified by Fire Chief Paul Lolli,” Adkins said in the letter. “You are not permitted to be on any city property that is not open to the public; this includes but is not limited to all fire stations.”

Adkins, who is out of town, could not be reached for further comment.

Officials are remaining tight lipped on the reason for the leave. Justice also declined comment.

“It is being investigated,” said Law Director Les Landen. He declined to say what “it” is or if “it” involved the police department.

Fire Chief Paul Lolli also confirmed there in an investigation.

“I have no comment at this time while the fire department is doing its own internal investigation,” Lolli said.

Lolli said Justice has been with the department more than 25 years and is the president of Middletown Firefighters Local 336.

Police Maj. Mark Hoffman told the Journal-News: “I have nothing to say.”

That's fine. Take all the time you need to investigate city of Middletown. Remain tight lipped about it. That's ok too. But when your little investigation is over, the public has a right to know the details on the reasons, the situation and the outcome. The man is a paid public servant and we, the taxpayer's, who are footing the bill for his job, have a right to know. This, coming from past experiences with your "investigation system" in place that, at times, omitted the details. This shouldn't just "fade away" as some news does around here, particularly on personnel issues. 

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VietVet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 15 2008 Status: Offline Points: 7008	Post Options Post Reply Quote VietVet Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Fire Capt.-Adminstrative Leave Posted: Jul 07 2015 at 1:56pm
	Middletown Fire captain on administrative leave By Lauren Pack Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — A longtime Middletown firefighter and union president has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation, according to documents obtained by the Journal-News. Capt. Greg Justice, of Springboro, was placed on leave June 30, according to a letter dated June 30 and signed by Middletown City Manager Douglas Adkins. “You are hereby placed on paid administrative leave effective immediately. You shall remain on such leave until you are further notified by Fire Chief Paul Lolli,” Adkins said in the letter. “You are not permitted to be on any city property that is not open to the public; this includes but is not limited to all fire stations.” Adkins, who is out of town, could not be reached for further comment. Officials are remaining tight lipped on the reason for the leave. Justice also declined comment. “It is being investigated,” said Law Director Les Landen. He declined to say what “it” is or if “it” involved the police department. Fire Chief Paul Lolli also confirmed there in an investigation. “I have no comment at this time while the fire department is doing its own internal investigation,” Lolli said. Lolli said Justice has been with the department more than 25 years and is the president of Middletown Firefighters Local 336. Police Maj. Mark Hoffman told the Journal-News: “I have nothing to say.” That's fine. Take all the time you need to investigate city of Middletown. Remain tight lipped about it. That's ok too. But when your little investigation is over, the public has a right to know the details on the reasons, the situation and the outcome. The man is a paid public servant and we, the taxpayer's, who are footing the bill for his job, have a right to know. This, coming from past experiences with your "investigation system" in place that, at times, omitted the details. This shouldn't just "fade away" as some news does around here, particularly on personnel issues.
	I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.

409 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: Mar 27 2009 Status: Offline Points: 1014	Post Options Post Reply Quote 409 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jul 08 2015 at 8:01pm
	MJ: Middletown fire captain forged medical leave documents, police say Middletown fire Capt. Greg Justice under investigation for allegedly defrauding city of nearly $3,000 in sick leave pay. By Lauren Pack Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — Middletown fire Capt. Greg Justice, a 25-year veteran of the department, is under investigation by police for allegedly defrauding the city of nearly $3,000 in sick leave pay, according to court documents obtained exclusively by the Journal-News. Justice, who has been on paid administrative leave since June 30, is accused of forging his doctor’s signature on medical records to extend his time on sick leave, according to an affidavit for a search warrant for the fire captain’s residence on Greenleaf Village Drive in Springboro. Middletown police Detective Steve Winters wrote in the affidavit that Justice ““with a purpose to defraud by means of utter, or possess with purpose to utter, writing that (Justice knew) to be forged, submitted a medical record to the city of Middletown displaying a return to work date and a doctor’s signature. During the time of the submittal of the fraudulent medical records to the time of the investigation (Justice) received $2,892.395 in compensation from the city of Middletown.” Police allege the forged medical leave documents were submitted to the city on June 14. The search warrant was signed by Warren County Common Pleas Judge James Flannery (now retired but serving as a visiting judge) and returned to the clerk of court’s office on July 1. Taken from Justice’s residence during the search on June 30, were a laptop computer, two DVDs containing medical documents, a folder containing documents, a scanner with paper and an original document template. Winters also applied for a search warrant on July 1, to search the computer seized from Justice’s residence looking for evidence linked to the template they allege was used for the forged medical records. Middletown Municipal Court Judge Mark W. Wall signed that search warrant. Nothing was taken from the computer, according to court documents. Justice, of Springboro, was placed on leave June 30, according to a letter dated June 30 and signed by Middletown City Manager Doug Adkins. “You are hereby placed on paid administrative leave effective immediately. You shall remain on such leave until you are further notified by Fire Chief Paul Lolli,” Adkins said in the letter. “You are not permitted to be on any city property that is not open to the public; this includes but is not limited to all fire stations.” On the application for the search warrant for the computer, Winters stated Justice refused to talk with him on June 30. City officials continue to remain tight-lipped about the case and declined comment on Wednesday. On Tuesday, city law director Les Landen confirmed there was an ongoing investigation. Justice declined comment on Tuesday and did not return calls requesting comment on Wednesday.
	Every morning is the dawn of a new error...

VietVet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 15 2008 Status: Offline Points: 7008	Post Options Post Reply Quote VietVet Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jul 09 2015 at 6:07am
	Let's see. 25 years in. A nice salary and bennies. A paper-shuffler administrative position. Floating to a nice retirement and living in an affluent community...... and a possibility of losing it all for 3 grand. Mercy.
	I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.

bumper Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Citizen Joined: Feb 01 2010 Location: over here Status: Offline Points: 307	Post Options Post Reply Quote bumper Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jul 09 2015 at 8:47am
	IMO when you get this stupid after 25 years he deserve's to lose it all !!

spiderjohn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: Jul 01 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2749	Post Options Post Reply Quote spiderjohn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jul 09 2015 at 10:13am
	Watch them let him retire or resign With no charges to follow Respectfully Jmo Sad situation for a long-term local public servant

Factguy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Resident Joined: Dec 07 2009 Status: Offline Points: 217	Post Options Post Reply Quote Factguy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jul 09 2015 at 11:14am
	This situation appears quite odd. City employees retire and cash out including Mr. Lyons and others, receiving over $80,000. Sick pay and vacation is considered for many companies as PTO, which can be used either as vacation or sick leave. While it strains rationale thought as to why he allegedly forged the document, in all probability he could have said he suffered from stress, and gotten relief and note from the family physician for the time required. Did his position as head of the union have an impact on bringing the visibility to the city. Who was his physician and who knew the physician's style of writing. Very bad for city and equally strange behavior for a leader.

409 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: Mar 27 2009 Status: Offline Points: 1014	Post Options Post Reply Quote 409 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jul 15 2015 at 5:50pm
	MJ: Fire captain facing felony charges to retire By Lauren Pack Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — Middletown fire Capt. Greg Justice, who is facing felony charges, submitted his resignation Tuesday, stating he will retire. “It is may understanding his letter said he will retire effective today (Tuesday),” Middletown Law Director Les Landen told the Journal-News. Justice, 52, of Springboro, a 25-year veteran of the department, was indicted Friday on three counts of forgery, a fifth-degree felony, and two counts of tampering with records, a third-degree felony, in connection with allegedly submitting a fake doctor’s note to allow him to stay home rather that return to light duty. He was arraigned the same day by Butler County Common Pleas Judge Jennifer McElfresh and released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to be back in court for a pre-trial hearing on Aug. 6. Justice, who has been on paid administrative leave since June 30, was accused of forging his doctor’s signature on medical records to extend the time that he could stay home on injured leave. Middletown police originally investigated an allegation that he received nearly $3,000 in compensation for time he should not have been on leave, but Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser said that is not the basis of the alleged crimes. “There was no actual theft of money. That was believed to be true at the time of the investigation,” Gmoser said. The prosecutor said Justice was already on paid injured leave, but forged a document that allowed him to stay home rather than return to light duty with the city. “The city is moving forward with its internal procedures. This case began when (Fire) Chief Lolli noticed some discrepancies on paperwork submitted by Capt. Justice regarding his paid leave. The chief brought his concerns to the attention of the director of public safety, David VanArsdale. The matter was referred to the Middletown police department for further investigation. As the investigation proceeded, the Butler County Prosecutor’s office was brought into the process,” Landen said.
	Every morning is the dawn of a new error...

spiderjohn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: Jul 01 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2749	Post Options Post Reply Quote spiderjohn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jul 17 2015 at 11:21am
	Anyone surprised as to how this is playing out? City has washed their hands, and evidently will pay out a normal retirement. County court has little interest in this case, especially now. Guy played his hand pretty well and confidently The fire dept and city admin look bad(corrupt and incompetent protecting their own) SOS in the bunker--so much for the effectiveness of our new Public Safety dept Only the citizens get taken while being held to a much higher legal standard

Dean Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Resident Joined: Apr 15 2014 Status: Offline Points: 162	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dean Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jul 17 2015 at 12:07pm
	Not a bit of surprise, other than perception Ohio OPERS rules had changed and added more years and age before retirement. 52 and 25 years pretty lean for retirement. The city embarrassed itself on this situation by bringing visibility it either had policies which were easily and probably habitually violated, forging a physician signature is beyond comprehension unless it was routine to do, and really strained credibility by Van Arsdale, ' we have to protect the taxpayer.' Really? 99.99% of the city employees have been on vacation while at work for years. The citizens have become so apathetic, they have taken sick leave for years. Another black eye for city and they think it showed it showed financial stewardship. City is seriously delusional. PR is not a forte of city hall and never improves.