LOS LUNAS, N.M. — A New Mexico fire chief has been asked to resign after racy photos during a trip to the industry tradeshow FDIC surfaced last week.
‘‘There’s been a lot of public outcry,” Los Lunas County Manager Danny Monette said, after Fire Chief Steven Gonzales refused to turn in a letter of resignation.
The photos were taken during a tax-funded trip to FDIC last month, where Gonzales and other fire department officials are photographed with scantily clad women. The photo of Gonzales had to be censored due to its graphic nature, KOAT reported.
“There were personnel policies broken,” Monette said.
The three employees were placed on leave, but have since returned to work despite public outcry.
Monette asked the chief to resign Thursday, to which Gonzales refused.
Gonzales said in a brief interview that, “We were in a bad place at a bad time. We’ve served our suspensions and apologized.”
Valencia County fire chief, division chiefs send apology letter: LOS LUNAS, N.M. (KRQE) – The Command Staff o... https://t.co/x0Z4qspOdv
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However, one resident said, “No, no way. No way Jose. I don’t care what his excuses are. He’s a grown man and should have known better.”
The county commission said it will continue to monitor the department over the coming weeks.