Firefighter, 38, ‘lied about COVID-19 diagnosis to get $12,000 in paid time off from work – then went on family holiday to waterpark resort’

A Texas firefighter was arrested Friday after allegedly claiming that he and his family got coronavirus so he could collect more than $12,000 in paid time off - while he went on vacation.

William Jordan Carter, 38, is now on administrative leave from his job at Fire Station 7 in Dallas.  

All told, Carter collected $12,548.86 in paid time off over three pay periods after claiming he and his family had tested positive for COVID-19. 

William Jordan Carter, 38, was arrested Friday in Dallas and released on $1,500 bail after allegedly lying about having Covid to collect more than $12,000 in paid time off

During his time away, bank statements from mid-April show he spent $1,400 at a waterpark in the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock, Texas, where all-day passes start at $150 per person.

He also spent money at a gift shop in Waco, about 95 miles south of Dallas and halfway to the resort. 

Another purchase was logged at a Buc-ee's convenience store in Temple, about 52 miles from the Kalahari Resort.

Bank statements show Carter spent more than $1,400 at the Kalahari Resort water park

Passes for the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock, Texas start at $150 a day per person

Carter first asked for time off on March 24, claiming that his wife had tested positive for Covid-19, according to an arrest warrant obtained by the Dallas Morning News. 

A week after that, he said his daughter had also tested positive and that he was worried due to her pre-existing conditions.

Two days before he was due back at the station, he said he was sick and that he'd also tested positive for Covid.

But he couldn't provide a copy of his own test results or those of his family.

When a deputy chief asked if his family's infections were true, he replied, 'I guess not,' according to the affidavit obtained by Dallas Morning News. 

He then said he made the statements out of, 'greed, I guess.'  

He was released from Dallas County jail on $1,500 bail.