COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The city’s public safety director announced his decision Thursday to terminate firefighter David Santuomo from the Columbus Division of Fire.
It's a story NBC 4 has been reporting on for months.
The Columbus Division of Fire received many complaints and concerns after the conviction of Columbus firefighter David Santuomo.
The division completed its internal investigation, and Fire Chief Ned Pettus recommended termination Thursday, July 9.
Public Safety Director Mitchell J. Brown reviewed Pettus' recommendation and upheld it Thursday, July 16.
“After careful consideration of the relevant facts in the matter of firefighter David Santuomo, it is my decision to uphold the recommendation of Fire Chief Ned Pettus Jr. and terminate firefighter David Santuomo from the position of firefighter for the City of Columbus, Ohio, Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire," Brown said in a statement to the media.
The termination is effective immediately, Department of Public Safety Executive Assistant Antone White said.
Santuomo has 10 days to appeal the decision via civil service, if he chooses, according to White.
Santuomo pleaded guilty to two charges of animal cruelty and one count of possessing criminal tools Wednesday, June 24. All three are misdemeanor charges.
Judge Harlan Hale sentenced the firefighter to 90 days in jail, five years of probation and a five-year ban on having or living with an animal.
Hale said Santuomo would not be allowed to own firearms and was required to get alcohol, drug and mental-health counseling.
Santuomo’s sentence also included writing an apology letter that will appear in International Fire Fighters Magazine and 200 hours of community service.
Local 67 said earlier the misdemeanor crimes were not an issue of job performance.
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