Channel 12: Norwood Fire Chief Goodman Overpaid By $35K

At 5:30 p.m. today, Channel 12 reported that the NFD’s Chief Curt Goodman was overpaid by almost $35,000 last year during a time the City Auditor’s office was in transition. Chief Goodman cashed out “a bunch” of his unpaid leave, and a second payment of $35,000 was made in error that didn’t reflect the fact that hours had already been deducted from the time bank. The City has been unsuccessful in getting the money back. Channel 12 reported that Chief Goodman had paid $13,000 in taxes on the overpayment by the time the auditor’s office discovered the mistake.

City Auditor Jim Stith says the time banks are now balanced, the the chief doesn’t owe the City any money. However, Chief Goodman and his attorney Bob Kelly say they’re preparing to sue the City to get that time back. Auditor Stith told Channel 12 he’s used this same approach of balancing the time banks with 21 other employees, and the state auditor says it’s the right way to do it.

Click here to view the Channel 12 video.