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Fmr. Fire Chief Charged With Falsifying Test

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Nov 20, 2009 7:54 pm US/Mountain

Fmr. Fire Chief Charged With Falsifying Test

Written by Brian Maass

SHERIDAN, Colo. (CBS4) ― The former fire chief in Sheridan says he is innocent and did not help falsify training records and exam results for firefighters. "I'm very disappointed," said Ron Carter after learning that he was facing 16 felony counts related to a 2005 training class.

Citing health reasons, Carter, 54, retired as Sheridan Fire Chief in October after 14 years as the city's top fire official. He was just charged this week.

According to the CBS4 investigation, Carter, Sheridan Fire Captain Brian Ribble and Federal Heights firefighter Donald Ogborn have all been charged with eight counts of felony forgery and eight counts of attempting to influence a public official.

According to Carter, and other contacts familiar with the case, seven Sheridan firefighters took an exam four years ago to establish proficiency as drivers and operators of certain firefighting vehicles. The Federal Heights firefighter was brought in to proctor the exam, which had a written component and practical component. But due to adverse weather and an equipment breakdown, the firefighters were never required to take the practical test. But sources familiar with the case say all three misled state authorities and indicated that all training, including the practical portion of the exam, had been completed.

The Director of Colorado's Division of Fire Safety, Kevin Klein, said exams like this are important as they are used by some departments for promotions, and as a way to demonstrate to the community that firefighters have completed job performance requirements.

Sheridan's City Manager, A.J. Krieger declined to discuss the case but released a written statement stating Captain Ribble was placed on leave Friday. The statement also said Sheridan "has cooperated fully with the investigation," which was conducted by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

Carter is also a Sheridan School Board member, and is married to Sheridan's former mayor, said he was in the process of trying to "figure out where we go from here."

CBS4 attempted to contact both Ribble and Ogborn but was not able to reach them.

(© MMIX CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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