SEATTLE -- Mayor Greg Nickels reprimanded Seattle Fire Chief Gregory Dean for not adequately responding to billing and other problems in the Fire Marshall’s Office while a lieutenant who was facing serious disciplined resigned, according to a press release from the mayor's office.

Lt. Milton Footer, the fire marshall who was assigned to Qwest Field, was facing serious discipline and chose to resign, effective May 19.

After an investigation by the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission, it was determined Footer had violated the city’s Ethics Code by taking free passes for a concert and failing to bill First & Goal for fire guard services at Qwest Field, said Alex Fryer of Mayor Nickels’ office.

A further review by the mayor’s office found that Footer received three free monthly parking passes at Qwest Field, violating the city’s ethics code.

Footer had served in the Fire Department for 29 years.

“We have always stressed that everyone in government must adopt the highest ethical standards. That’s the core of upholding the public’s trust. Chief Dean recognizes he must do more, and his department must learn lessons from this experience,” Nickels said.

Dean said in a released statement: “I respect the mayor’s decision and fully understand his direction and accept his reprimand. I should have recognized the full scope of the issues and taken immediate action to resolve them. I also understand the impact on public confidence in the integrity of the department. I have learned from this experience and believe I will be a better leader and fire chief because of it."

Tuesday afternoon Lt. Footer resigned in the face of serious disciplinary action by the department.

Following a whistleblower complaint from inside the fire department, the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission in March determined that Footer failed to collect $195,679 for fire services at Qwest Field from 2002 to 2007.

Last month, the city of Seattle and First & Goal reached an agreement settling fireguard services provided by the Seattle Fire Department. The city received $122,064, about $74,000 less than previous invoices. The city agreed that Footer did not provide bills in a timely manner, leaving First and Goal unable to recover costs from various third parties.

In April, Nickels ordered six reforms in the fire department to improve ethical and financial accountability. Dean must report back this month on progress made so far.

--Mayor's letter of reprimand

--Chief Gregory Dean statement

--Disciplinary investigation/Lieutenant Footer

--Disciplinary investigation/Management