Two from State Capitol Police fired

RALEIGH, N.C.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Public Safety said Acting Chief Antonio Asion and Sgt. Benjamin Franklin received dismissal letters Friday.  

Spokeswoman Pam Walker said Wednesday the dismissals are related to administrative practices and outside employment. They can appeal the dismissals.

Asion was named deputy chief of the State Capitol Police in August and became acting chief last fall. Franklin had worked with the State Capitol Police since May 1994.

ABC11 could not reach Asion for comments. A union representative for Franklin said he plans to fight the dismissal.

He wouldn't tell us how Franklin was moonlighting, but said his off-duty work was approved by former chief Asion.

"I'm not sure if it's a miscommunication or misunderstanding, but we believe he was wrongfully discharged and we don't believe he violated policies," said Teamsters representative Rick Armstrong.

We asked the Department of Public Safety for the dismissal letters sent to the chief and Sgt Franklin, but we were told they won't be made public until the appeals process has played out - that could be months.

Maj. William Gray of the N.C. Highway Patrol has been named acting chief.

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