BROWNSVILLE – An audit released by the city of Brownsville claims the demoted fire chief was rerouting emergency calls to a private ambulance company. The referrals apparently cost the city thousands of dollars, according to an audit committee report.

The audit said during Dec. 2016 to Sept. 2017, 78 emergency calls were rerouted to a private ambulance service, costing the city more than $62,000 in lost revenue.

According to the audit, that company was Intercity Ambulance for Emergency Medical Transport.

The report states the ambulance company was operating without the proper permits required by the city. It goes on to note that both the previous fire chief, Carlos Elizondo, and the current city manager, Charlie Cabler, knew about it.

The committee was unable to determine if the company had insurance, properly maintained vehicles or used authorized personnel.

Concerns about rerouted calls to this ambulance company were brought to the attentions of the city by Brownsville police dispatchers back in December, according to the audit.

The report goes on to state that each time the former fire chief was asked about the practice, he would respond by saying the city manager had allowed it and there was a need for the private ambulance services in the city.

The city did not announce any ramifications for Cabler, who remains on the job.

CHANNEL 5 NEWS reached out to Elizondo, who referred us to his attorney, Noe Garza.

Garza said they won’t be commenting on this audit, unless formal charges are brought against his client.