I-Team: Former Boston Firefighter Faces Corruption Charge, Risks Losing $86K Pension

CHARLESTOWN (CBS) -- A former Boston firefighter appeared in court for the first time Friday, accused of an extortion scheme first uncovered by the I-Team almost four years ago.

Fred Ellis Jr. faces a felony public corruption charge for an alleged incident on the lower deck of I-93 in September 2011.

Carey Poe had been waiting a long time to sit in a Charlestown courtroom and watch Ellis face a judge.

"It is calming to finally see this come to fruition. It's something I've been looking forward to," Poe said outside the courthouse.

On his way to work in 2011, the gas tank fell off Poe's truck, spilling fuel all over the highway.

Soon after contacting 911, Poe said he received a call from Ellis, a hazmat specialist with the Boston Fire Department.

According to Poe, the firefighter demanded he provide his credit card number to Shawn Clark, the owner of Removal Specialists, a hazardous material cleanup company. When he initially resisted, Poe said Ellis threatened to have him arrested.

When it was all said and done, Poe was on the hook for a bill of $11,000.

Outside the courthouse on Friday, the I-Team asked Ellis about the alleged threats and whether he had any message for Poe.

"He is not answering any questions today, but we are looking forward to getting this resolved," attorney Joe Padolsky repeatedly answered for his client.

However, Poe said he got the message loud and clear that day on I-93.

"I have proof that he threatened me. That's going to come out in court. I have no doubt whatsoever. I didn't misunderstand a thing that was said to me," Poe said.

Ellis retired from the Boston Fire Department in 2013 on an accidental disability pension. He now collects $7,233.97 per month in tax-free income.

But according to state law, Ellis could end up forfeiting his pension if he is convicted of the felony corruption charge.

Despite the lengthy investigation, the owner of Removal Specialists will not face any criminal charges, a spokesman with the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office confirmed.

In court on Friday, prosecutors said they could show Ellis illegally steered the business toward the cleanup company. However, they could not prove what benefit—if any—Ellis received in return.

The former firefighter will be back in court on October 5.

Ryan Kath can be reached at rkath@cbs.com. You can follow him on Twitter or connect on Facebook.