May 30, 2006
By TIM MILLER
6 News Anchor/Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- Two high ranking Knoxville fire fighters received sharp criticism from an investigation into their treatment of transgendered Capt. Jamie Faucon.
A report released Tuesday singles out Assistant Fire Chief Mark Foulks and Master Firefighter Mike Brown.
The civil service director and the Knoxville Police Department internal investigations branch looked into claims by Faucon in March that she was discriminated against because she used to be a man.
Faucon's grievance said she was deprived of her take-home car, relocated and lost on-call pay because her supervisor, Foulks, was prejudiced toward her.
Faucon told 6 News Tuesday night, the findings speak for themselves.
"These both, for both of these people, would be very serious, could bring very serious implications to both of them," Faucon said.
"Again, that's going to be a situation in which the fire chief and the law department will have to take into consideration."
In March, the fire department returned Faucon to her office and gave back her take home car.
The report revealed evidence that Foulks and Brown made derogatory comments about Faucon and that Foulks tried to give some of Faucon's duties to other employees with no justification.
Also, the report said if witness statements are true, Foulks may have violated city rules pertaining to discrimination.
Recommendations include that Brown should attend diversity training. Foulks has already received that training.
Capt. Jamie Faucon
