Credits faked as favor, instructors say

Two instructors suspected of falsifying training records for more than 200 emergency medics across Massachusetts have told state public health investigators that they were simply trying to help colleagues who did not have the time or money to take the medical refresher courses required to renew their licenses, The Boston Globe reported June 22. On June 27, The Globe reported that the probe stemmed from a phone tip.

The report cited former Trinity Ambulance employee Leo Nault and Mark Culleton of Billerica, a Lexington firefighter. The scandal prompted the state to suspend the licenses of hundreds of EMTs for up to nine months. The report does not say that the EMTs, including those at Armstrong, were fired, as a headline in The Advocate reported June 24.

Arlington-based Armstrong Ambulance Service employees Victor Valdez and Charles White are among those who admitted collecting signatures and money for Nault, state officials wrote.

Scott Moore, chief executive of Armstrong Ambulance, told The Globe that his company depends on the state to properly regulate recertification. “This isn’t an Armstrong issue. This isn’t a Trinity issue. This isn’t a Cataldo issue,’’ he said. “We rely on the oversight agency.’’