Melbourne fire department chief photographed giving nazi salute returns to work

A Melbourne fire department chief, who was investigated after a photo of him performing a nazi salute was discovered, has returned to work.

Jewish fireman Aaron Starkey filed a federal complaint against Chief Jody Kohler in late April in connection with the photograph.

Mr Starkey had previously complained about the photograph to his union president, but claimed that nothing was done about it.

The City of Melbourne released a statement explaining its decision to reinstate Chief Kahler: “The inappropriate photograph was apparently taken approximately fifteen or sixteen years ago (it appears in the summer of 2007), and that those involved were not intentionally acting with any kind of racist or antisemitic intent or bias.”

Mr Starkey’s attorney reacted to the decision, saying: “MFD [Melbourne Fire Department] has decided to not hold anyone accountable for this behaviour: Not the subject in the photo, the person(s) who took the photo, or the person(s) that disseminated it. The date that the photo was taken is irrelevant because the person in the photo is employed as a Battalion Chief. This is a sad day for the MFD, city leadership, and the residents of the City of Melbourne.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism reports on news and incidents relating to antisemitism worldwide.