Video: Columbus City Council Transfers Firefighter to Police Department in Light of Recent Marriage

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — Efforts to help a firefighter keep a job with the city while enforcing Columbus’ nepotism ban apparently haven’t worked out.

The Columbus City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to transfer firefighter Jonathan Goodman to the police department.

Goodman married another firefighter’s niece on Sept. 16, and had been told he could not return to work until the council met to discuss the issue. Goodman was made aware of the possibilities before the wedding and when he signed the nepotism policy before starting work in April 2013.

City officials tell WCBI they have not heard from Goodman today about his intentions.

The policy prevents employees related even as cousins from working in the same department to avoid favoritism.

The city grandfathered in several cases that were in place before the policy was adopted six years ago.