Firefighter lied saying he had covid-19 and took paid leave

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(CNN) -

A Dallas firefighter has been charged with theft after allegedly lying saying he had tested positive for COVID-19 and spending about a month on paid leave.

William Jordan Carter, who has worked for the Dallas Fire Department for 14 years, requested a leave of absence on March 24 because his wife had COVID-19, according to an affidavit for his arrest warrant.

A week later he said his daughter had tested positive for the virus and asked for another week.

Two days before his scheduled return to work date, Carter told the department that he was ill and had tested positive for covid-19.

The fire department has a policy of recommending first responders to stay home if they or someone they live with tests positive.

When asked by Deputy Chief Lauren Johnson to provide a copy of her test results, Carter told Johnson that she had not been tested, but that she believed she had the virus.

Carter also did not provide documentation of his family's test results.

The deputy chief asked Carter why he made up the false claims, and he replied "(out of) greed, I guess," according to the affidavit.

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Bank records in the affidavit show that Carter made several purchases in central Texas in mid-April during the time he was out.

He spent about $ 1,400 at the Kalahari Resort, an indoor water park and resort in Round Rock, Texas, which is about 300 km away.

south of Dallas.

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Charged more than $ 12,000

Court documents show that Carter received $ 12,548.86 in three separate settlements throughout his license.

His COVID-19 license was funded by a collection of taxes, sales taxes and fines, according to the affidavit.

"Suspect Carter illegally seized money, with the intent to deprive the city of Dallas, by intentionally misleading his chain of command by creating a false impression of fact that affected his judgment in the transaction to approve his encoded payroll for license by covid-19; committing robbery ", affirms the affidavit.

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The fire department communicated daily with Carter during his discharge, which took place between March 24 and April 23, as part of their daily monitoring program in case the condition of the employees worsens during the license.

He was contacted daily by text messages or phone calls, and a daily report of his discharge was submitted to a public integrity unit, according to the affidavit.

Carter was taken into custody Friday and bail was set at $ 1,500, according to court records.

By Wednesday he was no longer detained.

Jason Evans, a spokesman for the Dallas Fire Department, confirmed that Carter is on paid administrative leave and that an internal investigation is underway.

It is unclear if Carter has an attorney.

CNN tried to reach him on Wednesday, but was unsuccessful.