CITY HALL — A laborer with the city Department of Transportation who got drunk during a work day and crashed into parked cars at a city facility has been fired, the city's watchdog announced Monday.
The laborer, who was not named in Inspector General Joe Ferguson's quarterly report released Monday, drank alcohol during working hours, drove under the influence of alcohol with an expired driver's license, crashed a car, and failed to report that accident, officials said.
In a separate incident, the employee also tested positive for using cocaine and alcohol during work hours, according to the report.
The employee went to a gathering off city property where he drank alcohol, according to the report. When he returned to the city's facility, which was not identified, he struck two parked cars, one of which was seriously damaged, according to the report.
The employee was arrested, according to the report.
The employee appealed his firing, and during the hearing to decide whether that decision should be upheld, he admitted to having "had a couple" with his lunch on the day he was accused of driving under the influence.
After being "ratted out" the employee said he attended a rehab program and no longer used alcohol or drugs.
During the hearing the employee called the hearing officer "Judgey Wudgey," and got up from the witness chair, announcing he was ready to leave, while being questioned by his own attorney, according to the report.
The employee's termination was upheld and is now final.
