A former Columbus Deputy Fire chief pled guilty Wednesday to a misdemeanor charge involving payroll records, but insists that the case was politically motivated.
52-year old Jack Reall was accused of drawing a salary for hundreds of hours while he was also being paid by third parties for consulting work. In a statement before sentencing, Reall said his years as the head of the firefighters union drew hostility from city officials. As part of a plea deal, Reall will serve probation until he pays nearly 58 thousand dollars restitution to the city. Reall retired Monday.