Omaha Firefighters Union President Steve LeClair was fired Friday following an internal investigation by the city after he was charged with assault and battery in November.
"After the conclusion of an internal investigation conducted by the City of Omaha Human Resources Department and the Omaha Fire Department's Internal Affairs Division, Fire Chief Dan Olsen has made the decision to terminate Mr. LeClair," the fire department said in a statement.
On February Omaha Police cited LeClair for assault and battery and disorderly conduct in connection with an incident in November at Tiger Tom's bar. According to a police a 36 year old woman claimed LeClair punched her in the back and made a racist comment. Jackson said the force of the punch caused her to fall out of her seat and onto the bar.
Mayor Jean Stothert issued a statement about the termination this afternoon. "Following the conclusion of the internal investigation by the Human Resources Department and Omaha Fire Internal Affairs, Chief Olsen made the decision to terminate Mr. LeClair. I will support the Chief's decision," Stothert said in a statement.
The Omaha Firefighters Union also responded after LeClair's firing:
"The mission of the Omaha Professional Fire Fighters is to serve as advocates and protect the rights of the 650 firefighters we represent. Following the termination of a fire fighter or any city employee, there is a process and rights to which each employee is afforded. Steve LeClair is provided those same rights and will be utilizing the process, as he has done for members in similar situations throughout his tenure. As an organization, we have always supported the process and will continue to do so. As the process proceeds, the executive team of our association will continue to advocate for the safe working conditions of our firefighters as they protect the citizens of Omaha."
LeClair had been on administrative leave since Dec. 21.