The firefighter lied that he had COVID-19, took paid sick leave and went to the water park

The firefighter lied that he had COVID-19, took paid sick leave and went to the water park

A Dallas firefighter allegedly lied about having COVID-19 in order to take paid sick leave, and then went to the water park, where he spent nearly $ 1,500 on entertainment, lodging and food.

The 38-year-old William Jordan Carter was arrested Friday on theft charges and released on bail. Neither the Dallas Fire and Rescue Service nor the Firefighters Union responded to BuzzFeed News' request for comment.

According to a sworn affidavit by a Dallas Police Department detective, Carter told his deputy fire chief in March that his wife was sick with COVID-19 and that he needed leave, which was then granted. A week later, he announced that his daughter had contracted the virus and that he would need an additional week of rest, which was also provided.

Finally, two days before he was due to return to work, the man announced that he himself is sick with COVID-19 and needs more time. The deputy chief then asked to confirm the diagnosis with a coronavirus test, which Carter was unable to provide, the affidavit said.

Carter allegedly admitted he was not tested, but told the deputy chief that he suspected he had COVID-19. He was also unable to provide doctors' records of his wife and daughter.

He then confessed to telling a lie, according to his affidavit. When the man was asked why he had lied about the diagnosis, Carter said, “I suppose it’s greed,” and answered affirmatively if the lie was related to unwillingness to go to work.

According to bank statements, Carter received a salary during this time. The city deposited more than $ 12,000 in his bank account. The bank statement also showed that while he allegedly pretended to be sick, he spent nearly $ 1,500 on entertainment, lodging, and food at the Kalahari resort in Round Rock, Texas, which is considered the largest indoor water park. in the US.

«Suspect Carter followed the guidelines for emergency responders not to show up for work if they test positive or have contact with a confirmed COVID-19 positive person they lived with,» — Dallas Police Department detective Lee Allen wrote in his affidavit.

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