Chief of Department James Leonard, the top uniformed officer in the FDNY, has been relieved of his duties and put on modified assignment pending a review of possible “inappropriate behavior,” a spokesman said Thursday.
The move came two days after the Daily News reported on allegations that Leonard was butting heads with many in the FDNY, including First Deputy Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, the lone woman at the top of the roster. In response to queries from The News earlier in the week, the FDNY said the Law Department was opening a review of the allegations about Leonard.
On Thursday, the FDNY announced he was stripped of his title and put on desk duty — but he is still with the agency. Chief of Operations John Sudnick is now the acting chief of department, the agency said.