Columbus Fire Official Demoted For His Role In Sex Scandal

Columbus safety director Mitch Brown has demoted to lieutenant a Columbus fire battalion chief for his role in covering up a firehouse sex scandal. Fire Division officials in February found Jerry Birkhimer guilty of more than 20 internal violations in the coverup of firefighter Marc Cain's on-duty affair with an 18-year-old woman at Station 17 on the Hilltop from late 2011 through Spring of last year. Fire Chief Greg Paxton recommended Brown suspend Birkhimer for 30 days and demote him to captain. Brown has also suspended Birkhimer for a day. Brown fired Cain in March.