Philly firefighters allege perjury in fight to restore demoted members

The Philadelphia firefighters union is accusing two top city officials of committing perjury in a legal dispute over departmental promotions. 

The union says Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers and Karens Hyers, manager of fire department’s human resources, conspired to perjure themselves during court testimony in October about the department’s decision to rescind the promotion of more than a dozen firefighters.

At issue was whether the firefighters had been informed that they needed to take a new civil service exam to be considered for promotion, just in case the promotion was rescinded.

Union president Joe Schulle claims Ayers and Hyers simply didn’t tell the truth.

“Both testified under oath that they informed each and every member that they should take the upcoming test scheduled for June 8. Seven of the promoted members were interviewed after the June 8 test date,” he said Friday.

Schulle said the ability to take the test was a part of the reason they didn’t win a challenge to the demotions.

“Judge Tucker specifically identified the members’ knowledge and ability to take the June 8 promotional exam in formulating his decision,” he said.

A representative of District Attorney Seth Williams said they have received the firefighters’ request to review the issue. Fire department officials declined comment.