A former civilian official with the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) is facing serious accusations of orchestrating an elaborate scheme to raise money for a questionable 9/11 charity, allegedly employing a smokescreen of lies, phony props, and false associations, including a fabricated link to former Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Stephan Hittmann, who served in a civilian capacity as the FDNY’s director of fire training, is being charged by fire officials with impersonating a firefighter and exploiting the memory of 9/11 heroes for personal gain and to legitimize a controversial organization.

According to fire officials, after leaving the FDNY in April 2004 due to “general work-performance issues,” Hittmann allegedly embarked on a fundraising tour. Despite never being authorized to wear a uniform in his civilian role, he is accused of regularly donning full FDNY dress blues and pinning on bogus medals of valor, including a fabricated 9/11 ribbon.

“Mr. Hittmann is trying to capitalize on a catastrophic event by not only impersonating a firefighter, but the chief of department, and wearing combat ribbons that don’t even exist,” stated Pete Gorman, president of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association.

Further compounding the alleged deception, Hittmann reportedly invoked the name of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, falsely claiming Giuliani was the head or chairman of his foundation. This claim was even made in a letter sent to former Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen, a known Giuliani associate. A representative for Giuliani vehemently denied any connection, stating, “In no way, shape or form was Mr. Hittmann permitted to use Mr. Giuliani’s name. Its use is misleading and inappropriate.”

The controversy extends to a notorious claim made by the Church of Scientology. The organization has widely boasted that its “Volunteer Ministers” received the FDNY’s “Medal of Valor” following 9/11 – a claim explicitly denounced by fire officials as a lie and an insult to the brave firefighters who died in the line of duty and were posthumously awarded the true Medal of Valor.

It is in this context that Stephan Hittmann’s alleged activities converge with the Church of Scientology. In 2004, on the occasion of the Church of Scientology opening a new headquarters in New York City, Hittmann allegedly made a “proclamation” attempting to validate this false claim:

“In recognition of the humanitarian efforts of the Volunteer Ministers of the Church of Scientology, and the help they provided to members of the Fire Department of the City of New York, in keeping with the principles developed by L. Ron Hubbard; and WHEREAS: FDNY and the 911 PROGRAM recognize this unwavering commitment to firefighters, to paramedics, to other rescue workers, in keeping with our proudest traditions; and be it known, THEREFORE: That FDNY and the 911 PROGRAM officially recognize this dedicated service to the citizens of the City of New York, and hereby bestow upon L. Ron Hubbard and the Volunteer Ministers of the Church of Scientology, the FDNY and the 911 PROGRAM’s Medal of Valor and 9–11 Service Award — on the occasion of the Grand Opening of the New York Church of Scientology.”

As of now, Hittmann has not been formally charged with any crime related to these allegations. However, the accusations paint a picture of profound deception that seeks to exploit one of the nation’s most traumatic events and dishonor the sacrifices of those who responded.