Who says life cannot imitate art?
As if ripped right off the pages from the daily rushes of a sizzling daytime soap opera, the latest storyline in the always interesting life of the LA (Lehigh Acres) Fire Department reveals deception, breach of trust, infidelity and salacious sex between firefighters.
LAFD Chief John Wayne has released a public records report concerning the investigation of Lt. Larry Arfmann, assigned to Station 102. There actually was no investigation, per se, but an examination of a confession admitted by Arfmann that he had been engaged in a long-time sexual relationship with a subordinate co-worker. According to Wayne, this is a serious violation of district policy. Note: there is no rule or regulation prohibiting what the district terms as being involved in a “dating” relationship between employees as well as between supervisor/subordinate. The violation enters because district policy demands that the senior employee immediately report the relationship to the proper chain of command. Ostensibly, concern rises to make sure both parties are separated professionally to avoid impropriety.
Impropriety?
Well, the plot starts to thicken here. Yes, Arfmann finally “came clean.” He reported the affair to Wayne sort of voluntarily. Sort of only due to the fact he “got busted.” Not by one of his superiors. He wasn’t ratted out by a fellow worker or an anonymous phone call from a district taxpayer. No…he was found out by his wife. Uh-oh.
Wayne met with Arfmann who, according to the chief, was forthcoming and honest about the illicit relationship he had with FF/PM Denise Potter. However, the One Life to Burn writers threw in the first plot twist when Arfmann’s wife, Dawn, reported that Potter had attempted to secure a restraining order against her. It was denied but no additional “secrets” were revealed concerning why Potter had felt the move necessary. What’s that old saying about a woman scorned?
Since Arfmann waived a formal inquiry as well as any legal representation, Wayne turned the matter over to Arfmann’s supervisor, Battalion Chief Tim Christensen for a disciplinary recommendation. Christensen interviewed both Arfmann and Potter determining that although poor judgment was evident, a violation of the Workplace Relationship policy had occurred (Arfmann failed to report the affair immediately) the affair was ended and no repeat activity of this nature would ever occur again. He recommended Arfmann receive a one-shift (24-hour) suspension. Potter faced no disciplinary action at all.
Drama over? Are you kidding?
Wayne rejected Christensen’s recommendation. He stated he did not agree with Christensen and delivered the following disciplinary action:
- Arfmann will be demoted to the position of FF/PM (Firefighter/Paramedic) immediately. This is the position he held before promotion to lieutenant on Aug. 6, 2007.
- He will be placed on administrative leave with pay effective immediately and advised when to return back to duty
- Arfmann will receive a shift change through this decision and will be informed about his new assignment once he returns to duty
- Arfmann will be eligible for promotion according to the collective bargaining agreement
Does the storyline end here. No…but unlike a Friday soap episode, no cliffhanger here.
Arfmann obviously liked his supervisor-in-arms disciplinary solution since he filed a grievance through the union to fight the chief’s plan.
Losing whatever the value of a one-shift suspension was all Arfmann was willing to suffer for violating district policy. Now bring on the lawyers…bring on additional costs for the taxpayers of the LAFD.
Stay tuned for continuing episodes of One Life to Burn.
Is this true? Why does Arfmann feel entitled to keep a position he clearly doesn’t respect? How awkward it must be to work with others who know the 2 are having an affair? Get it together! I have learned integrity means more than a few nights with a sidechick.
Hey, women are just as capable as men and having both sexes sleep in the same building for years won’t be an issue. Anyone who claims otherwise is simply participating in the war on women. Wonder if the Lt.’s wife feels like it doesn’t matter. Public service unions will have these two lovebirds back together soon as they can arrange arbitration hearing. They’ll probably need a few more mils in property tax though once it is all finished to replenish the LAFD coffers.
I know the people invovled and THIS INFORMATION IS FALSE ,Thier marriage was OVER almost a year before the affair started ! They were working on a divorce and the wife has admitted psychiatric problems and she is on multiple medications for and was threatning Denise , that is why the restraining order was requested!! They did not break up .Larry and Dawn are currently still working on a divorce.However it PROVES to be difficult with Dawns instability of psychiatric state.The newspaper should be publishing FACTUAL INFORMATION AND NOT MALICIOUS GOSSIP.Its kinda of funny none of the real newspaper would bite on her requests to publish the NONSENSE .People divorce and sometimes are lucky enough to fallin love again .Maybe we should consider renaming the paper the Gossip Gazette .
FACTUAL INFORMATION interesting all the information is true and verified that we published, if you believe there is more information that the Gazette failed to bring to light please feel free to email us at news@lehighacresgazette.com
This is no ones business but theirs. It is a disgrace that such a sensitive and private matter is being publicized. Especially when a lot of the facts are askewed. Alisha Nicole–get your facts straight.
First of all I completely agree with precious – No ones business but theirs.
BUT what irritates me A LOT is so they are obviously in the wrong in regards of their employer contract and now its on the news. However, both of them are in the wrong! How come that only his ass got chewed and not hers? He got punished and demoted and what about her?
First of all Denise Cusic Potter is very well know for this activity…………NOT HER FIRST RODEO! She has a pattern of this within the stations for years. She has partaken in several sexual relationships with several FF/PM… Second she should receive the same punishment. She has been lucky up to this point wrecking families with her actions. She is a wrecking ball and should be punished. Lastly her day will come…..you can only fly under the radar for so long. Shame on you Denise get your own man…..
Notyourbusiness is so right–what about her punishment. It takes 2 to tango!
While this may be no ones business, the fact of the matter remains that he was an officer and the rules clearly state that officers cannot fratenize with their subordinates without proper reporting. He failed to do so. So now he is fighting the repercussions and it is going to cost the already financially burdened Fire Dept even more money. Are the taxpayers willing to fund this expense? He was wrong and could have been terminated. Maybe he should be thankful he still has a job as the market is loaded with certified firefighters begging for a job and I bet they are willing to morally follow the rules.
Remember when Tiger got caught? First it was one woman, then another, then another.How many women are there?What a Fu…. PIG!! And, this woman..Great Job in destroying a family.Question to her.Couldnt you find a single man? They are out there.
@alisha nicole ( is that your porn name?). Amazing that we find the faults in orhers that we despise about ourselves. You are a brave little girl, we should meet soon?
Lol this artical cracks me up…..Arfman did this to his first wife with the crazy B he marries to now! Why is she playing the victim what goes around comes back around! Karma karma karma
some bitter ass old ladies …saying its none of anyones business but yet ur commenting ..
If you want to put painful facts out there, they are as follows… Dawn went to the press to air her laundry after she had pulled this very same thing on Larry’s first wife.. Dawn tried to run Larry’s first wife off the road while she had Larry’s kids in the car. She is psychotic and shouldn’t have had the press bring her dirty laundry to light because it only brings to light more of her skeletons and she has plenty because she is a sick woman..!!
I think you all need to grow up .YOU ALL ACT LIKE YOU HAVE CLEAN HANDS.BE ADULTS AND ACT LIKE WOMEN,LEAVE THEM BOTH BE ..ITS 2013- Marriage didnt last and two people clicked…I think.this whole ordeal is lame as hell and everyone should get over themselves and there bullshit and move on…theres people getting murdered,raped,and beat and u guys are putting ur time into this …get a damn life and look at your own …and all your own ugly flaws ,quit being jealous and hating on people YOU TRULY DONT OBVIOUSLY KNOW .PETHETIC
P.S LOVE YOU DENISE : )
Why are people blaming the wife? What she did was awesome! Why should she keep her mouth shut, while these two pigs are sleeping together.
Denise Potter is a PIG and HOME WRECKER for sleeping with her married boss. The husband is a pig for CHEATING on his wife and with a subordinate. He probably paid for a couple of dinners, so she slept with him. He was probably telling her lies likes “it’s over between my wife and I” while telling his wife that he loves her. They should both be FIRED AND LOSE THEIR PENSIONS. Firefighter’s work 24 hour shifts, so you know they were having sex, while getting paid with our tax dollars for a year and a half.
And for those of you mentioning Karma, wait until Denise and Larry get what they deserve.
Intelligent One: It’s apparent that you’re not that intelligent and whose side you are on–get your facts straight, ask the children if any of those things happened and we will see who the liar is.
theTruth: I didn’t mind anything you said until you posted P.S. Love You Denise–you’re an idiot for that, your opinion would have been more credible if you would have kept that comment to yourself.
I personally do not know Denise but I do know Larry and he seems to be the 1 common factor in his 2 previous relationships. I am disappointed to lose a friend over this, but someone has to go and it’s LARRY!
Denise–get out while you can, because in a couple of years (if it lasts that long) you’re going to be on the other side of this blog or maybe you just like the public attention, even if it puts you in a bad light, making you look like a TRAMP!