A fire captain with the San Jose Fire Department, Mark Moalem, was arrested for tampering with controlled substances in the department’s possession. The fire department alerted police after discovering that medications had been damaged or tampered with during an inspection and restocking process.
Moalem, 44, faces multiple charges, including burglary at a fire station, endangering a child, and narcotics violations, in addition to the drug-related charges. He has been released from custody after his arrest.
The San Jose Police Department indicated that up to 16 fire stations may have been affected by the tampering. Moalem has been with the fire department since 2002 and was last on duty shortly before the allegations surfaced. This is not his first encounter with drug-related issues; he previously faced charges in 2013 and received a deferred judgment, which required him to undergo random drug testing and comply with conditions to retain his paramedic license.
City officials expressed their serious concern over the allegations. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan emphasized the critical role firefighters play in administering medical care and the importance of maintaining trust in the department. City Manager Jennifer Maguire reiterated the severity of the charges, highlighting the breach of public trust.
The fire chief conveyed disappointment regarding the situation and affirmed the department’s commitment to cooperating with the ongoing police investigation. Authorities are looking into whether Moalem’s actions had any impact on patient care. Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact the San Jose police.
