City officials blast firefighters over pension abuse allegations

A day after federal prosecutors launched an investigation of possible disability pension abuse by dozens of Boston firefighters, some city councilors took the potentially treacherous political step of criticizing union-backed firefighters, saying the alleged activity amounted to a fleecing of taxpayers.

FBI agents served subpoenas on current and former city firefighters and sought years of disability records from City Hall on Wednesday, several officials briefed on the investigation told the Globe on the condition of anonymity because grand jury proceedings are secret.

The subpoenas followed a Globe report in January that 102 Boston firefighters claimed career-ending injuries while filling in for supervisors at higher grades. In doing so, the firefighters boosted their pension payments an average of $10,300 a year.

"If this practice is happening, it's not right, and it's not fair to the people of Boston," said Councilor Salvatore LaMattina. "It's not fair if people come to work and fake injuries, and then go on workman's comp and disability."

A spokeswoman for Mayor Thomas M. Menino said the administration has been working to reform the Fire Department, in cluding trying to head off pension abuses.

"The city and the mayor have been working in the current contract negotiation to change language to try and prevent this type of abuse," said Dorothy Joyce, a spokeswoman for the mayor. "The mayor continues to seek more transparency with his recent appointment of a new civilian commissioner."

Boston Firefighters Local 718, which has decried as "offensive and unwarranted" recent reports of pension abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, and cheating by firefighters on a state civil service exam, was mum on the start of a federal investigation.

Ed Kelly, union president, did not return calls, and a union spokesman said Local 718 would have no comment.

Also yesterday, a high-ranking public official told the Globe that state civil service officials have set a replacement test date for a Boston Fire Department promotional exam tainted by allegations of cheating. The state - which threw out the results of the Nov. 17 test after learning that firefighters talked during the exam, brought cellphones into the testing site, and took frequent trips to the bathroom - will administer a new test June 21.

City councilors previously have been loathe to criticize the politically potent firefighters' union.

The city remains locked in stalled contract negotiations with the union, with the primary sticking point being Menino's insistence that random drug and alcohol testing be required of firefighters.

Mayoral aides were critical of the City Council when seven of 13 councilors met with union representatives in February, despite having no role in negotiations.

But, in light of the federal investigation, councilors yesterday decried the cost to taxpayers of pension payments that may have been artificially boosted.

"For the last few years we've had diminished funds, and if these allegations are found to be true, we will certainly see to it that the practice is ended," Councilor at Large Stephen J. Murphy said in an e-mail. Murphy added that the actions of a few could taint "an otherwise honorable department."

Councilor Sam Yoon, a strong supporter of the firefighters' union, said he hoped the probe would "provide some much-needed transparency and accountability to the department."

Staff writer Donovan Slack contributed to this report. John C. Drake can be reached at jdrake@globe.com.