Detroit arson investigator James Hill-Harris accused of claiming $120K in fake overtime, fired, demoted, and had certification revoked.

Detroit firefighter James Hill-Harris, a 25-year veteran and arson investigator, is accused of fraud for allegedly claiming over 150 unpaid hours—worth about $120,000—between 2018 and 2023, according to a city inspector general report. Evidence showed his time records conflicted with key-card data, cellphone logs, and activity records, with some instances showing he was at home or outside Detroit during reported shifts. The probe found supervisors Lt. Dennis Richardson and Capt. Rance Dixon failed to properly oversee time submissions, leading to recommended discipline. Hill-Harris was demoted from lieutenant to firefighter and returned to duty after a union appeal overturned his firing. The Detroit Fire Department has since implemented new payroll controls, including a civilian payroll manager and biweekly audits. The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards revoked his certification in June 2025 for “egregious misconduct.”