Common Councilor Bill Ryan says Miner likely didn't know about Kelvin Chambers' record.
Syracuse Fire Fighter Kelvin Chambers stands next to Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner at a June 24 award ceremony. At left is Timothy Visser, who also was awarded for his actions. Syracuse, NY -- When Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner last week blocked an award to a veteran city police officer for his role in a civil police brutality case, she spoke of the extra responsibilities borne by the police and firefighters as the price of wearing the badge.
“It is that responsibility that weighs heavily on us all, because when a few, or one, or some, do not recognize that responsibility or perhaps fall short in exercising that responsibility, everyone in the community takes note,” Miner said in justifying her position.
But one of the firefighters honored during that day’s ceremonies — and photographed with the mayor — has a criminal record that was never mentioned. The District Attorney’s office this week verified that Lt. Kelvin Chambers has at least three criminal convictions for violating court orders in domestic violence cases.
Syracuse City Court records show Chambers, 48, is currently on three years probation — with a requirement that he attend counseling, treatment or educational programming from Vera House — for a physical confrontation with his wife.
Court papers show that Chambers was arrested May 3, 2007, on a felony charge of first-degree criminal contempt and a violation count of second-degree harassment following an incident at 301 Prospect Ave.
Chambers was accused of violating an order of protection that had been issued for his wife by Salina town Justice Herman Harding which was in effect until April 10, 2008.
The felony complaint accuses Chambers of grabbing his wife’s jacket around her chest and neck area so hard that Iris Chambers was left with lacerations on her neck and bruises on her left breast. Court papers show that Chambers was taken into custody by police after the incident to be held in jail pending arraignment in City Court the following day.
Court papers also indicate a county grand jury voted in September 2007 to return the felony criminal contempt count as a misdemeanor charge of second-degree criminal contempt to be handled with the second-degree harassment count in City Court.
Chambers pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor criminal contempt charge before City Judge Stephen Dougherty on Sept. 11, 2008. He was sentenced by Dougherty this past Feb. 10 to three years’ probation. Dougherty also signed another order of protection for Chambers’ wife effective through Feb. 10, 2012.
The Post-Standard archives show Chambers had been arrested on criminal contempt charges on three other occasions as well: in March 2008, in February 2006 and in August 1999.
First Chief Assistant District Attorney Rick Trunfio said prosecution records show the March 2008 case was resolved with Chambers pleading guilty last July to second-degree criminal contempt for which he was sentenced Aug. 6 by Salina Town Justice Paul Carey to a conditional discharge and $500 fine.
Trunfio said the February 2006 case appears to have been resolved in May 2007 with Chambers also pleading guilty to second-degree criminal contempt. Trunfio said the office could not find a record for a 1999 case.
Defense lawyer Jerald Harrell confirmed he has represented Chambers in some criminal matters. But he declined further comment.
The newspaper archives show Chambers became a city firefighter in July 1996 and was promoted to his current position as a lieutenant in February 2007.
Lindsay McCluskey, Miner’s spokeswoman, said Tuesday the mayor would have no comment on the Chambers matter. However, Common Council Member Bill Ryan, who is familiar with the award process, said the mayor signs only three of the more two dozen awards that were to be given out at last week’s ceremony.
Ryan said it was likely Miner knew nothing about Chambers' legal issues.
The awards aren’t widely discussed before they are given, he said. John Cowin, who retired as fire chief in January 2009 after 31 years with the department and now serves as Miner’s deputy mayor, may have known about Chambers' issues, Ryan said. However, “it’s very possible he didn’t know Kelvin Chambers was getting an award until he stepped on stage.”
Staff Writer Charles McChesney contributed to this report. Contact Jim O'Hara at johara@syracuse.com.