Country Fire Service chief calls in police over ‘fake abusive emails’ amid CFS volunteers and workers ‘gagging’ row

One of the state’s most senior firefighters has called in the cops over a fake email scam that has raised fears of a dirty tricks campaign amid a volunteer “gagging” row.

Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs, CFS Chief Officer Brett Loughlin and SES Acting Chief Officer Liz Connell in December last year. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

One of the state’s most senior firefighters has called in police over a fake email scam that has raised fears of a dirty tricks campaign amid a volunteer “gagging” row embroiling his agency.

Authorities launched a confidential investigation last month after documents outlined a tranche of abusive emails purportedly from Country Fire Service chief officer, Brett Loughlin, 39.

But a “distressed” Mr Loughlin, the CFS boss for almost 18 months, last week formally called in SA Police, after an official inquiry concluded the four emails were faked.

Detectives are investigating who was behind the alleged fraud as part of a criminal probe that will focus on whether a disgruntled former worker is involved.

After senior government officials received the papers – containing wrong dates, spelling mistakes and other format errors – the South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission launched a forensic IT inquiry that failed to find evidence any emails existed.

In a statement amid an ongoing row about how CFS volunteers and workers are treated, Mr Loughlin, an Adelaide Hills-based a father-of-two, said he was also considering other legal options.

Governor-General, David Hurley, his wife Linda Hurley with then CFS Chief Officer Mark Jones and State Duty Commander Brett Loughlin, who has since replaced him, with Auslan interpreters Sarah and Sarah, in an undated picture taken "during 2019-20 Fire Danger Season". Picture: CFS

“These alleged emails are completely fake,” said Mr Loughlin, who has been a rural fire administrator for almost two decades in SA and NSW.

“I did not write them, I did not send them.

“I have always sought to uphold and model the values of the CFS over almost a decade of service to the agency.

“Any claim to the contrary is dishonest, fraudulent, and defamatory.

“I am seeking advice on my legal rights. This distressing matter has been referred to SA Police.”

Mr Loughlin is currently embroiled in a row over how CFS volunteers are treated. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

The messages, the specific details of which cannot be published for legal reasons, were made to appear as official correspondence between the chief and multiple senior colleagues.

The documents, which were also sent to The Advertiser, falsely outlined different ways he would address alleged misconduct with employees and volunteers.

The notes, which were manufactured using his government email address, auto signature and other official CFS graphics, also attacked Mr Loughlin’s predecessor Mark Jones.

Speaking from Milton Keynes in Britain’s South Midlands, Mr Jones, who returned to the UK after just three years in the top job, said he never doubted the emails were “nonsense”.

“Brett is simply too professional to have written in such a manner,” said Mr Jones, who is now a consultant emergency manager.

“It seems to me that some criminality may have occurred so I will make no comment on the matter.”

Mark Jones at the CFS headquarters during his three year reign. Picture: Brad Fleet

Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs said he supported the CFS boss, who was executive director of operations before his elevation to the top in September 2022.

“The CFS chief officer has conclusively denied having written or sent these emails, and advises me he has referred this matter to police,” he said.

“SAFECOM has conducted an independent audit of CFS servers, which determined these alleged emails could not be located.”

An SA Police spokeswoman said officers were “aware of the report and are investigating”.

MPs will now investigate CFS disciplinary procedures and other internal issues.

Liberal MP Adrian Pederick told parliament last week that more than 100 volunteers and at least four staff had raised concerns in the past six months including about a “lack of procedural fairness and denial of basic rights”. “This is a major issue,” he said.

Mr Szakacs said a review was already underway into CFS processes.

“With this (week) posing some of the most dangerous fire conditions of the summer, everyone’s focus should be on supporting the CFS and volunteers, not playing political games,” he said.

Mr Loughlin, who also was lead analyst of formal review into the CFS response of 2019/20 bushfires, has denied anyone has been gagged.