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Texas fire chief seen in photos eating sushi off naked woman

3 years 6 months 2 days ago Friday, October 23 2020 Oct 23, 2020 October 23, 2020 2:46 PM October 23, 2020 in News - AP Texas Headlines

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Officials in San Antonio said they are reviewing the actions of the city’s fire chief after photos were made public in which he was eating sushi displayed on a mostly nude woman at a firefighter’s birthday party this year.

The San Antonio Express-News reported Friday that it had obtained two photos that showed Fire Chief Charles Hood posing next to a woman who does not appear to be wearing any clothes and whose body is partly covered by sushi, flowers and leaves as she lays on a table. Hood was not in uniform in the photos.

City Manager Erik Walsh was informed about the photos by the newspaper.

“I’ve just been made aware of this today and will certainly be looking into it,” Walsh said. “We all have to be aware that our actions outside of the workplace — good, bad or otherwise — reflect on the organization we represent.”

Hood, who has been fire chief since 2007, said in a statement that the photo was taken at a firefighter’s 50th birthday party in January.

“I certainly didn’t intend to offend anyone, and if I did, I sincerely apologize,” Hood said.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg declined to comment.

The serving of sushi on a naked woman called “body sushi” or “naked sushi” — is part of the Japanese practice of nyotaimori. The practice has been criticized in recent years, with civil rights and community groups saying it objectifies women’s bodies.

Under San Antonio Fire Department rules, the conduct of employees, whether on-or-off duty “shall be governed by the ordinary and reasonable rules of good conduct and behavior.”

Employees also are prohibited from taking part in behavior that would bring discredit upon the department or cast it in a negative light.

During his time as fire chief, Hood, has disciplined several firefighters for their behavior and actions. Hood fired one firefighter who shared a screenshot of someone asking if it’s legal to run over protesters who are blocking a road.

Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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