Posted by Hal Dardick at 10:33 a.m.; updated at 3:02 p.m.
Chicago’s top Fire Department official will take vacation time until the conclusion of an investigation into sexual harassment allegations that were made against him, the mayor’s office said today.
The announcement by Fire Commissioner John Brooks is expected to come in the form of a written statement, said Jacquelyn Heard, press secretary to Mayor Richard Daley. She did not know how long it would take to complete the probe, to be done by the beleaguered Office of Compliance.
Fire spokesman Lawrence Langford issued a statement this afternoon on Brooks’ behalf.
“Chicago Fire Commissioner John Brooks has decided to step aside pending the outcome of a City Hall investigation into an allegation of improper conduct against him by another fire dept employee. Commissioner Brooks said he fully understands the seriousness of the allegation and the need to immediately address it. He said he is concerned that remaining on the job while the investigation is underway could lead to the appearance of undue influence or interference on his part, and he does not want that. He plans to cooperate fully with the investigation but will take leave pending the outcome of the probe," the statement read.
A payroll auditor in the department accused Brooks of threatening to lay her off when she rebuffed sexual advances, Heard confirmed.
Daley’s administration was not aware of the allegations, first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, until Wednesday, when they were brought to the attention of Chief of Staff Raymond Orozco, Heard said.
The head of the Office of Compliance, Anthony Boswell, has sued the city alleging he was wrongly suspended by the Daley administration.