A disciplinary hearing is underway in Vila Verde fire station following allegations that one of the fireman used an ambulance, as well as a special room on the premises, for sexual assignations.
Francisco Gomes was reported to have been caught “in flagrante” last month when purportedly showing a friend round the ‘casa-escola’ at the station. It is also alleged that he drove to Gerês national park for a sex session in one of the squad’s ambulances.
As the ‘internal process’ takes place at the fire station, Gomes is understood to be remaining in active service – although national tabloid Correio da Manhã writes that “the possibility of expulsion remains open”.
Carrying the story today as an exclusive, CM informs that the station’s commandant José Lomba declined to comment, saying the case was “not very dignified” and “gave a bad image” of the nation’s firefighting service.
Colleagues, too, have closed ranks – although it is understood that one of them blew the whistle on Gomes’ activities, as this is the reason for the opening of the disciplinary process.
Talking to CM, Gomes is quoted as saying: “My only mistake was taking the ambulance without authorisation”.
The paper adds that Gomes was expelled from service in the Red Cross in the past, “allegedly for an attempt at sexual abuse”
