The Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to spend at least $20,000 of taxpayer money for an independent investigation into allegations of a toxic and volatile workplace. “I asked that the board look into a thorough investigation as to every allegation. I have nothing to hide,” Davidson told 10 Investigates at Tuesday’s commission meeting, which did not follow Robert’s Rules of Order and spiraled beyond the control of the commissioners as audience members spoke out of turn, interrupted speakers and hurled insults. The board voted unanimously to hire Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman, P.L. at a rate of $350 per hour to investigate at least two administrative complaints from the union and that accuse Chief Davidson of fostering unsafe working conditions, medical privacy violations and discrimination among other claims. This includes a complaint alleging the chief held a handgun while driving with a lieutenant struggling with his or her mental health and made a comment about taking that lieutenant to the tracks. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office investigated and said it found nothing criminal. “I am legally allowed to carry my gun in my car. I simply was putting it away. It was away, but it was in between us. I was putting it in the door, and that’s exactly what the lieutenant confirmed,” Chief Davidson said. MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/investigations/10-investigates/pinellas-suncoast-fire-rescue-toxic-workplace/67-b597aefb-879a-46e8-b9b5-4b258b43d5e9