Details from the investigation of former Naples fire chief Pete DiMaria reveal he was having an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate married city employee for nearly three years.

DiMaria admitted the affair to an investigator. The investigative report was finalized in February. About a week later, he retired.

The affair started while DiMaria served as interim city manager, the top job at city hall apart from the mayor. The city is not releasing the name of the woman with whom he had an affair. The investigation revealed the relationship was essentially an open secret.

On Sept. 2, 2022, an unidentified man reported seeing DiMaria and a woman engaging in sexual activity in DiMaria’s work vehicle. City Manager Jay Boodeshwar was notified about the allegation, and he hired an external firm to investigate.

“I’m still digesting the report,” Naples City Council member Beth Petrunoff said.

The 50-page report includes witness interviews, surveillance videos and more.

“It’s very surprising,” she said. “The length of time it went on, and the number of departments it affected.”

What jumped out to her was the report said a number of city employees knew about and witnessed DiMaria’s behavior.

“I think our residents expect a squeaky-clean government,” she said.

The report says city workers saw DiMaria and the city employee holding hands and cuddling on a bench at Cambier Park across from city hall, kissing in his work vehicle while in uniform and displaying affection in public. The report says DiMaria didn’t disclose the relationship to HR or management, and wasn’t forthcoming with the investigator about his behavior and was insubordinate to Boodeshwar.

“I think they expect, you know, a certain level of professionalism, a code of conduct beyond just the regular job description,” Petrunoff said. The report says DiMaria’s actions crossed boundaries, created a conflict of interest and reflected poorly on the city of Naples’ reputation.

Petrunoff says the city must move on from DiMaria’s resignation.

“It is a culture change,” she said. “You know Pete had been around for a long time. You know Pete has made a lot of great contributions, especially in the vaccine program during COVID.”

She also believes the city’s reputation is now tarnished. “There were a lot of departments and a lot of people that it really did adversely impact in the city.”

If DiMaria didn’t retire, the insubordination and discussing the investigation with others would have resulted in disciplinary action. “It must’ve been a very, very difficult challenge for our city manager to take on, but he did, and I think the city government is better for it,” Petrunoff said.

City Council member Terry Hutchinson had some fiery words about DiMaria at the end of Feb. 28’s special city council meeting, saying the city should have never re-hired him as the fire chief.

“We did not have the right person in the right job,” Hutchinson said, directing the city manager to promote a new chief from within the department, if possible, and develop other fire personnel so they’re ready to step up to lead.