Fire department official demoted during sexual harassment investigation; city officials decline to comment on the case.

A significant shift has occurred within the Philadelphia Fire Department as Anthony Hudgins, the former Deputy Commissioner for Operations, has been demoted amid ongoing investigations into alleged sexual harassment and overtime fraud. This demotion, which has led to a substantial reduction in his salary—from 2,550 to 5,106—has raised questions about the internal oversight of the city’s fire services and the handling of misconduct allegations.

Hudgins was once a prominent figure in the department, which boasts a workforce of approximately 2,800 personnel. He has recently been reassigned to the Incident Safety Office, reflecting the department’s response to the investigations. The city enlisted an external law firm, Campbell Durrant, to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the sexual harassment allegations against him, a decision prompted by complaints from multiple employees. Reports indicate that up to ten individuals have formally accused Hudgins of inappropriate behavior.

This investigation comes at a time when the fire department has faced longstanding allegations of a pervasive culture of sexual misconduct. While Hudgins asserts the allegations are unfounded and claims he has been wrongfully targeted due to his attempts to expose overtime fraud within the department, the city has remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the investigation and the validity of the accusations. City officials, including representatives from the fire department, have declined to confirm whether any of the allegations against Hudgins have been substantiated, citing policies that prevent discussion of personnel matters.

Despite these circumstances, city officials stress their commitment to addressing allegations of misconduct, emphasizing that any verified claims will prompt immediate disciplinary actions. Inspector General Alexander DeSantis is overseeing a separate investigation into alleged overtime fraud within the department, a probe he describes as ongoing and active. The outcome of this investigation could have far-reaching ramifications for the department’s internal practices.

Complicating matters, city officials have sought to keep public records relating to the fire department’s top overtime earners confidential, which has led to legal disputes with local media seeking transparency. In a recent affidavit, DeSantis articulated concerns that disclosing this information could jeopardize ongoing investigations or compromise the confidentiality of witnesses.

The Office of Open Records recently ruled that the Inquirer is entitled to access the records in question, emphasizing that they cannot be withheld merely because an investigation is underway. Nevertheless, the city has appealed this ruling in court, highlighting the potential implications of releasing such information on the integrity of ongoing inquiries.

As these investigations unfold, the public awaits clarity regarding the fire department’s practices and the actions taken against personnel implicated in potentially damaging misconduct. The Inspector General’s office, focused on maintaining integrity within government operations, typically limits disclosures related to specific findings, opting instead for broader annual reports on their activities. As of now, the results of these investigations remain undisclosed, leaving the community to grapple with the evolving situation within one of its critical public safety departments.

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