Murder Investigation Leads To Probe, Massive Shakeup At Cal Fire Ione Fire Academy

IONE (CBS13) — Two firefighters have been fired, one has resigned and 13 others face discipline following an investigation stemming from the alleged murder of a battalion chief's girlfriend.

Former battalion chief Orville Fleming is accused of murdering his girlfriend Sarah Douglas in May, then leading police on a two-week manhunt as he hid from arrest.

The combination of 16 firefighters being fired, demoted or resigning, comes after an investigation at Cal Fire's Ione Fire Academy found misuse of equipment and time.

The probe by the California Highway Patrol did not find evidence of the initial scandalous allegation that a sex tape showed firefighters with prostitutes at the academy.

The allegation came from Fleming's estranged wife shortly after the Douglas was found dead. While no tape was found, the scandal led to new scrutiny and an ethics probe.

The move to discipline more than a dozen firefighters at one facility is unprecedented in Cal Fire's history. The union president says each firefighter that was disciplined will have a chance to appeal.

Cal Fire is not releasing specifics of the violations.