Omaha firefighters union president Steve LeClair WAS sentenced to six months probation on Thursday after pleading no contest to misdemeanor charges related to the assault of a woman in a bar last November.
The assault and battery and disorderly conduct charges were filed after the woman claimed LeClair had hit her in the back at a bar.
He was fired from his firefighters job on February 22nd following an investigation, but remains as union president. LeClair initially pleaded not guilty and then came the plea agreement. He could have faced up to six months in jail, a $500 fine or both on each of the charges.
LeClair plans to appeal his termination by the city. The union's attorney says a tentative arbitration date has been scheduled for August 14th and LeClair says he's "awaiting opportunity to get this set of facts in front of an independent arbitrator."
Following LeClair's sentencing, Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert released a statement:
“No Mayor of Omaha, past or present, has any control over the judicial system. Only Steve LeClair has control over what Steve LeClair does and ultimately he must live with the consequences for his actions. Mr. LeClair’s decision not to challenge the criminal charges speaks for itself. There is a video that documents the entire incident. Mr. LeClair has the ability to release it if he chooses," Stothert says. "The Human Resources Department did a thorough investigation of Mr. LeClair's conduct. Chief Olsen made the decision to terminate and a pre-termination officer reviewed the evidence and concurred with the decision.”