Orange County firefighter suspended in Disney ticket scandal

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Darion Butler is now battling a personal fire. He was suspended for three, 24-hour shifts, accused of substandard quality of work, destroying evidence or giving false testimony during an investigation and conduct unbecoming a fire employee.

Butler supervises firefighters Glen Kiture and Christopher Huntley. 9 Investigates reporter Daralene Jones reported earlier this month that both were suspended after they were caught reselling free Disney tickets, investigators said.

The theme park giant provided tickets to thousands of first responders as a “thank you” for their handling of the Pulse terror attack in June 2016. Disney said the tickets could not be resold for profit.

According to the investigative report, firefighters Kiture and Huntely sold the tickets on an online website. However, the tickets were flagged when the buyers tried to use them at the gate. Disney denied the families entry to the park.

Butler suspected an issue during a meeting with Kiture in March, a day before a family filed a formal complaint and a report with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, investigators said.

However, instead of immediately alerting his bosses, Butler used Huntley's phone and called the family and pretended to be a Disney employee. Investigators said Butler said, "I would like to find out your experience you had with Disney and if there was any problems with your tickets. If you would please try to contact Walt Disney World again and we will try to accommodate your again."

Butler’s suspension will start July 22.

Cox Media Group