ST. PETERSBURG -- Fire chief James Large isn't retiring or resigning after being placed on leave, over allegations of expressing racism, sexism and homophobia in an anonymous employee survey.
Large's attorney, Jay Hebert, says Large has strong support from firefighters and has done a lot to expand recruiting and hiring of minorities and women.
Hebert said many of the survey responses look similar and there were no safeguards to prevent non-employees from taking the survey. The criminal defense attorney has known Large for years and says that he's "100 percent not guilty" of the accusations against him.
Large did not take questions but read a statement saying he remains loyal to the city but has to defend himself. He has served the city of St. Petersburg for almost half a century as a firefighter.
Mayor Ken Welch hasn't announced a timetable for handling the allegations involving Large.
Photo: Canva