Newly released paperwork breaks down charges against embattled Saratoga Springs fire chief

As was reported First on 13, Saratoga Springs officially filed 16 charges of misconduct against Fire Chief Joseph Dolan last week.

Newly released paperwork details the charges against Dolan.

The paperwork is dated May 19, from the Office of Public Safety under Commissioner Jim Montagnino.

Dolan is accused of double-dipping, among other things. The charges allege that Dolan went to do training on various days over the past several years in his capacity as trainer for the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, but did not charge leave time, and was also paid full salary as Saratoga fire chief at the same time.

That constitutes grand larceny, for allegedly stealing salary, according to the letter, as well as misconduct under New York State civil service law.

Another misconduct charge alleges that Dolan put into the employee reporting system that he worked full eight-hour days for Saratoga when he was doing training for his other job.

There’s also an allegation about having the city buy a new Chevy Tahoe for about $62,000, for what was supposed to be a “command car” to allow a captain to go to emergency scenes, but instead, the paperwork alleges that Dolan used that car and gas for his own personal purposes.

Dolan is also accused of filing an ethics disclosure report which did not list his employment with the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control. The proposed penalty is termination.

Dolan was on paid administrative leave since February. Now he’s suspended without pay pending a hearing.

He’s been with the department for 25 years.