Images:Fallout from the Brawl
Drinking on and off the job was out of control at a Staten Island firehouse where a firefighter was badly beaten. That's just one disturbing finding in a newly released report by the city's Department of Investigation -- and the FDNY is already taking action.
Four firefighters were suspended Wednesday as a result of the New Year's Eve attack at Engine Company 151, Ladder 76. They are now facing administrative charges, and have been suspended without pay.
Michael Silvestri was in court Wednesday, answering to assault charges.
Firefighter Robert Walsh is still recovering from the attack. Sarah Wallace reports from Tottenville.
In the past couple of months, bits and pieces of information have emerged about what happened here on New Year's Eve. But the 23-page report from the DOI puts it all together. And its impact is chilling.
It suggests a complete breakdown in supervision, rampant wrongdoing and lying, an overt conspiracy to conceal evidence. All because of a beer bash that went terribly wrong.
Just hours before the release of the scathing DOI report, the firefighter at the center of it -- Michael Silvestri -- faced arraignment on upgraded assault and weapons charges stemming from the infamous New Years' eve attack at Engine Company 151, Ladder Company 76 on Staten Island.
The report describes in disturbing detail the Silvestri's unprovoked attack with a kitchen chair that left Robert Walsh critically injured. But even more damaging is what happened after -- the alleged cover-up.
"The witnesses stated that the presence and consumption of alcohol in the firehouse-more so than the brutal assault-became the catalyst for the cover-up that began on December 31, 2003. As one supervisor said, 'truth was never an option.'" The report offers insider accounts of the events of that night, from 15 different firefighters present. All spoke to investigators on the condition they be granted immunity for their statements. Silvestri declined to be interviewed.
Even though it was clear Walsh was severely injured, the report says "a conscious decision was made not to call EMS" because of all the evidence of alcohol.
Instead, the report says, as never-before-seen hospital photos show, two firefighters brought the severely injured Walsh in by car to the emergency room at Staten island University Hospital.
The report says they "lied to at least seven different hospital personnel", and claimed Walsh, "fell down stairs at the Firehouse."
Not surprisingly, the firefighters at the firehouse had little to say about Wednesday's developments.
One of the other disturbing aspects of the report is the description of alcohol use at the firehouse prior to the events of December 31. It suggests that firefighters conveniently had memory lapses, and that they had no sense of smell when describing the presence of liquids.
Byt the way, even though Walsh is clearly a victim, he will not go unscathed here. Along with the other firefighters, when he comes back from medical leave, he will also be suspended for consuming alcohol.
Related:
- Report: Drinking Already Rampant at S.I. Firehouse Before New Year's Brawl
- Four More Suspended in Brawl at Staten Island Firehouse
- Report: NYC Firefighters Lied About Fight
- Details of FDNY Brawl Indictment Revealed
- NYC Firefighter Indicted Over New Year's Brawl
- Staten Island Firehouse Polishing It's Image
