Firefighters disciplined for photo shoot with nude women
Thursday, February 3, 2005

TAMPA, Florida (AP) -- Five firefighters have been disciplined for being involved in a photo shoot involving two women posing nude on a fire engine inside a station.

Fire Capt. Al Suarez, 44, was fired after being accused of organizing the photo shoot and trying to cover it up by asking witnesses to lie or not cooperate. Four other firefighters were suspended without pay.

The women began the photo shoot partially clothed, but they were soon wearing only high heels. Firefighters taped garbage bags over the windows, the investigation found.

Snapshots of the two women, who were strippers at a Tampa nude club, have appeared on Internet Web sites. After a six-week investigation, the five accused men allegedly confessed.

Fire Chief Dennis Jones said he was "embarrassed" by the incident. "I was shocked. I was appalled," he said. "I hope people won't judge the entire department by these four or five individuals."