IAFF Statement on Federal Intervention
That’s It?
When you read the statement, remember that the charges are seven months old and the actual news is simply the FBI/DOL involvement and the IAFF subpoena. Schaitberger knew about the subpoena for six days yet claimed lack of time to prepare a proper response for the WSJ article.
In reality, he tried to duck the story because the facts are simply too powerful.
Note that Schaitberger, who loves to see his name in print, is nowhere mentioned and he throws the board, actuaries and attorneys under the bus, claiming they signed off on his improper pension while he was hauling down over $300,000 a year with nearly unlimited expense coverage.
Schaitberger says, “The IAFF strongly reaffirms that it did not engage in any wrongdoing.” This is a false statement as Secretary Treasurer Ed Kelly has maintained the exact opposite; it’s also all but assured that members of the IAFF board disagree with Schaitberger.
Schaitberger selectively defends himself while attempting to sow confusion. He is perfectly acting the part of dictator and sole owner of our union, making unilateral statements in his own defense.
He goes on to say that anyone wanting an honest and ethical union is engaging in “personal retribution.” That’s an ironic choice of words on his part. Retribution means “punishment inflicted on someone as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act.”
As Schaitberger’s acts are both wrong and criminal, why shouldn’t he be punished for ripping off IAFF members and destroying our union over 20 years?
He then says, “This campaign has sought to undermine our members’ commitment to the mission of the IAFF and the confidence the public has in its fire fighters.” This is the exact opposite of the truth: It is Schaitberger who has fatally undermined both the mission of the IAFF and public confidence and trust in our union.
Harold Schaitberger is a thieving narcissist now caught in the act.
The IAFF Statement:
The International Association of Fire Fighters is cooperating with a request for documents associated with the organization’s internal staff pension plan and will continue to do so.
The IAFF strongly reaffirms that it did not engage in any wrongdoing.
The documents requested relate to issues that were approved by the elected IAFF Executive Board over the past 20 years under the guidance of pension actuaries and legal counsel.
We look forward to a swift resolution of the reviews being conducted.
We will not interfere with the process that is in motion by litigating this issue on social media or in the press.
This action is part of a continued assault by a handful of individuals trying to tear down the organization for their own self-interest and personal retribution. This campaign has sought to undermine our members’ commitment to the mission of the IAFF and the confidence the public has in its fire fighters.
It is important to remind our members and the public that this situation in no way hinders the great work this Association does every day to protect fire fighters and emergency medical personnel across the United States and Canada.
