Spokane7
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August 24, 2010 in City
Chism, an ex-firefighter, pleads not guilty to DUI
Former Spokane firefighter Todd Chism pleaded not guilty Monday to driving while intoxicated, just four months after he was charged with assaulting two Washington State Patrol troopers who were investigating another possible drunken driving offense.
Chism appeared before Municipal Court Judge Michelle Szambelan with his attorney Ronald Van Wert. Both Van Wert and Chism declined to be interviewed following the hearing.
Szambelan complied with a prosecutor’s request to boost Chism’s bond to $1,500 from $500 and allowed him to remain out of custody as long as he has no new law violations and avoids drinking while driving. His next court date was set for Sept. 28 at 9 a.m.
“He is well aware that he needs to stay in compliance with the law and intends to do so,” Van Wert said.
Chism was arrested about 2 a.m. Saturday after he was seen driving the wrong way on Ash Street near Euclid Avenue, according to the Spokane Police Department.
Chism was a lieutenant with the Spokane Fire Department before he was arrested in April following a confrontation with troopers near Chism’s Stevens County home. After that arrest, city officials placed him on “unpaid layoff” status, which means he’s essentially severed from the city unless he is exonerated, city spokeswoman Marlene Feist said.
Chism was exonerated in 2008 after the WSP wrongly charged him in connection with a child pornography case. A civil suit against that agency has been dismissed but Chism is appealing the judge’s ruling.
Doney’s sentence upheld 
schoes4 on August 24 at 9:34 a.m.
Why is this a story? Why isn’t everyone who gets arrested for their second DUI a news story? Let this guy fade into the past and out of the news like he should be.
eagleproducer on September 30 at 3:36 p.m.
schoes: Yeah, I agree. Why should people employed in the public trust be held to any higher standards of behavior.
Chism became news and noteworthy after fighting with the two state troopers. The ongoing investigation and prosecution of that case makes him relevant and any of his subsequent violations of the law will be reported. Does that help? I now firefighters aren’t required to attend higher education to get their well paying gigs (that consists mostly of washing a fire engine) but I have ten year old children who could get this one.