DAYTONA, FL – A Port Orange firefighter-paramedic charged with sneaking into the homes of patients to steal their prescriptions has been fired, city officials said.
Michael Michaud, 38, an 11-year-veteran with Port Orange Fire and Rescue, was terminated Friday after an internal affairs investigation found he violated several departmental policies, in addition to several felonies.
Among them are burglary of an occupied dwelling and burglary, police said. In addition, Michaud took confidential patient information, lied to police, asked other firefighters to lie for him and failed to inform his superiors that he takes medication that could impede his ability to operate fire apparatus, the investigation shows.
According to Port Orange police, Michaud lied his way into the homes of six different patients so he could take their prescription medications. Going back to the residences when he was off-duty, but still in uniform, Michaud would say he had left behind a tool, police said.
Although he has been charged with burglary of a dwelling and burglary, the investigation still continues and more charges are likely, Port Orange police said recently.
In addition Michaud’s wife, 23-year-old Ashley Michaud — a firefighter with Edgewater — had been placed on administrative leave from her job so officials there could investigate whether she had any role in her husband’s dealings.
But because there was never any evidence against her, Ashley Michaud returned to work earlier this month.
