Whistleblower in Orlando firefighter off-duty pay investigation talks only to WFTV

ORLANDO, Fla. — Only Channel 9 talked to the whistleblower who claimed Orlando firefighters were cheating the city out of money -- a complaint that sparked a police investigation after 9 Investigates exposed the problems with off-duty pay.

The veteran Orlando firefighter blew the lid on his own department, risking retribution by sending a complaint to the city attorney telling her about something that was widely known in the department but never addressed.

Firefighters were being paid cash for off-duty events with little or no accountability.

"I don't think the people involved in this were here to benefit others, they were here to benefit themselves," he said.

Channel 9's Shannon Butler asked the whistleblower if he's satisfied with what happened, to which he said he believes details are still being swept under the rug.

The unidentified firefighter said he didn't think the city went far enough on the internal investigation, saying city leaders may be satisfied with what they did, but he isn't.

The investigation into the Orlando Fire Department and its employees who were paid cash for off-duty jobs began after the firefighter brought it to light anonymously in May.

"I complained because I am a taxpayer and it's wrong," he said.

The whistleblower sent his suspicions of bad records-keeping, overcharging of promoters and missing money to the city about just one event, the Orlando Calling event in 2011.

In the end, police found that after the event there was $2,000 in leftover cash, but nobody can figure out why the books won't balance.

"It's simple math. A 12-year-old could figure this out," said the whistleblower.

Deputy Chief Chad Williamson took the blame for the money missteps. The city said Williamson was in violation of policy, because he didn't keep good records on the transactions and couldn't explain what happened to the leftover cash.

The details were made clear just 72 hours after Williamson was allowed to retire.

The Orlando Police Department said there was no criminal wrongdoing, so it seems for now nobody is investigating to find out where that missing money went, said Butler.

"OPD says it's not criminal. How do they figure? Missing money is not criminal? I steal a six-pack of beer out of the 7-Eleven, and it's not criminal? How is it different?" asked the whistleblower.

The firefighter went on to say he did not take any cash deals but wasn't upset that others did.

"Nobody can account for it in an internal investigation, but I'm sure in a criminal investigation you would get a different story," said the whistleblower, who is now taking his complaint now to another level by asking investigators at the state and federal level to take a closer look.

Channel 9 learned the IRS has already started an inquiry, one that could take years. Other agencies could follow suit.

"Do you think someone should go to jail?" asked Butler.

"I do, but I'm not a judge and a jury. But I think a criminal investigation should take place," the whistleblower said.

WFTV