NAPLES, Fla. — FOX 4 is uncovering how the former Naples Fire Chief, who recently was allowed to retire after resigning, admitted to investigators he'd engaged in a three-year romantic relationship with a city employee.
That admission comes in a report obtained by FOX 4. The documents show the relationship took place even while Peter Dimaria served as an interim city manager. It's a friendship that morphed into a romantic relationship more than three years ago. The documents came from an outside third-party investigation, leading up to the former Naples fire chief's resignation on February 7th.
The investigation started because a witness said they saw the former fire chief and another woman, a married city employee, parked in a garage in the chief's car last September. Dimara told investigators several things and that he did not remember that happening. He also said "for years" he gave the city worker rides to and from work and called any sexual activity allegations quote, "ridiculous" and "false", saying they would not even hug. But the unnamed woman told investigators they would kiss and occasionally hug in the car.
Other witnesses interviewed said they'd also seen the two alone in a city car at different times, at Cambier Park and even publicly. To be clear, Dimaria does not deny the relationship. He just says it did not stop him from doing his job.
The report concludes that Dimara violated 4 city policies and 2 fire department relationships including not properly disclosing a romantic relationship, or maintaining personal and professional boundaries, breaking policy while in uniform and using his city vehicle and, continued violating the ethics policy, by openly engaging in displays of affection after he knew he was under investigation.
The end result of this investigation comes one week after the chief submitted his resignation in Collier County.
Original Reporting
We now know a little bit more about what led to the retirement of Naples Fire Chief Pete Dimaria.
The city is telling us this dates back to an allegation that was made in September. In the city's statement, it did not say what the specific allegation was about but did say it was about Naples Fire Chief Dimaria and it caused an investigation.
He was placed on administrative leave which is standard protocol for the city of Naples. The city did say he put in his retirement letter on February 7, 2023.
In response to recent inquiries regarding the Chief of Fire-Rescue, Pete DiMaria, the City is confirming that Chief DiMaria submitted his Letter of Retirement to the City Manager on February 7, 2023, with an effective date of Friday, February 10, 2023. In September 2022, an allegation was brought forth regarding Chief DiMaria. An investigation ensued and Chief DiMaria was placed on paid administrative leave, following standard protocols. At the conclusion of the investigation, Chief DiMaria announced his retirement, choosing to complete his service to the City of Naples. The City of Naples thanks Chief DiMaria for his 33 years of public service and wishes him the best in retirement.
The city of Naples assigned Deputy Chief, Phillip Pennington, as the acting Chief of the Fire-Rescue Department while the City considers the next steps for permanently filling the Fire-Rescue Chief position.
