Retired FDNY firefighter faces charges in U.S. Capitol riot
A retired FDNY firefighter from Long Island is facing charges for storming the U.S. Capitol after sending a selfie to a friend from inside the building’s famed rotunda, the Daily News has learned.
Thomas Fee, 53, of Freeport, told the friend he was at the “tip of the spear” during the deadly Jan. 6 siege, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Columbia.
The 22-year retired veteran of ‘New York’s Bravest’ was charged with disorderly conduct and entering a restricted building. He has not yet been arrested.
Friends first heard Fee might be at the capital when one person saw a message on Fee’s girlfriend’s Facebook page saying the one-time smoke eater was at the Washington D.C. rally, the complaint says.
The person texted Fee to find out if he was actually there, the complaint says. Fee said yes — and he sent the person the selfie as further proof.
Authorities later compared the photograph to Fee’s driver’s license picture and concluded it was a match, the complaint says.
Fee also appeared in a video from inside the halls of Congress where a crowd of people were yelling “tyranny” and “Pelosi,” referring to Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Fee retired from the job in October, a FDNY spokesman said on Monday. He made $$125,794 last year, state payroll records show.
The charges come after two New York City firefighters — one retired, one active — were spotted outside of the U.S. Capitol earlier this month, and days after Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro issued a department-wide memo urging all firefighters, active and retired, to “act with the utmost discretion and respect for others.”
“The department respects the right of all members to take and personally support social and political positions,” Nigro wrote, noting the agency will report anyone who acts violently or breaks the law at any political rally. “While exercising those rights, members must act with the utmost discretion and respect for others, and ensure that their conduct is in compliance with all applicable laws.”
With Noah Goldberg
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
