OGDEN — The Ogden Civil Service Commission has upheld an Ogden City police officer's firing for allegedly accepting favors from Ogden Auto Body in return for referring traffic-accident towing jobs to the company.
The three-member commission issued its ruling Monday morning, a unanimous verdict in the city's favor. The decision follows three days of testimony earlier this month about Sgt. Tony Huemiller's alleged involvement in the scandal, dubbed "Towgate."
On Monday, Huemiller said he hasn't decided whether to appeal the decision. However, he has previously maintained he intends to file a wrongful-termination lawsuit against the city.
Officers Kelly Zaugg and Ron VanBeekum were also fired in May 2000. All three men had been with the department 12-16 years.
VanBeekum was reinstated in January, only to resign from the force. The move allows VanBeekum to become certified again by the state's police academy so he can accept a job offer in law enforcement.
Zaugg's appeal hearing before the commission is pending.
Police towing records for July 1999 to February 2000 show that Ogden Auto Body received 46 percent of the business directed by police. Other towing companies complained, sparking an investigation.
Under department policy, wreckers are supposed to be dispatched from a rotation list. Officers are not to make requests or call the companies themselves.