Oswego fires its only female firefighter over sex complaint

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

OSWEGO — The department’s only female firefighter was terminated by the Oswego Fire Protection District Friday for having sex with a lieutenant on site at the fire station off Wooley Road.

Firefighter and paramedic Shannon Hillgoth, of Montgomery, admitted to sexual activity with a lieutenant between March and mid-August of this year, according to attorney Shawn Flaherty, the hearing officer and lawyer for the fire district.

On Friday, the Fire District held a disciplinary hearing to decide her fate with the district, where she has worked since June 2008. Hillgoth could have received a 30-day suspension or no punishment at all, but the Board of Fire Commissioners voted unanimously to terminate her.

Flaherty said the lieutenant involved in the allegations resigned a few weeks ago.

The misconduct investigation began when an outside party raised allegations at the end of August, Flaherty said.

Although the lieutenant was not named during Friday’s hearings, the attorney said he, like Hillgoth, was hired full time in June 2008. The two were among 54 people hired at that time.

Three people testified in the hearings: Fire Chief Brad Smith; Lt. Robert Towery, who was subpoenaed on Hillgoth’s behalf; and Hillgoth.

Hillgoth was told in the hearing that the decision is not final until a written document is reviewed and signed by the fire board.