A crowdfunding campaign set up for a Verizon worker who was suspended from his job for violating safety protocol during the rescue of a cat in Philadelphia on March 16 has ended after the financial goals were exceeded by generous members of the public.
Verizon worker Maurice German was seen in cellphone footage using his bucket truck to help save daredevil feline "Princess Momma" after she got stuck up a telephone pole. The incident, which occurred in Port Richmond, was filmed by local resident Amanda Fairchild Boyce.
German was praised for his heroism but it emerged that he had been suspended without pay by Verizon because the rescue had taken place close to electrical lines. He was removed from his role for three weeks—a move which sparked the crowdfunding appeal.
"This generous man is now at risk of losing his job! You should be ashamed of yourselves VERIZON! What kind of company disciplines an employee for SAFELY helping a community!" Boyce wrote in a public Facebook message directed at the company on March 22.
"I understand the risk this man took to save the cat, however he used all of his safety care knowledge and safely rescued the cat!" she added, using a hashtag #cancelverizon. "How dare you punish him for helping your customers! This beautiful story turned ugly thanks to you!"
On Sunday, 149 financial donors received the good news that $3,395 had been sent to German. The goal was set at $2,400—enough to cover the duration of his suspension. The GoFundMe, titled "heroes come in all forms," claimed Princess Momma had been stuck for 12 hours.
Verizon did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Newsweek. The company did elaborate further on the incident to Philadelphia media outlet ABC6 Action News.
It said: "We take no joy when our employees face consequences related to their job duties. We are, however, fully committed and responsible for keeping our employees and customers safe.
"All of our field technicians go through extensive training that is focused on workplace safety. Our goal is to keep our employees and our customers out of harm's way.
"Our trucks and related equipment are not intended to be used in the area in which he was operating, specifically around electrical wires. While our actions may not be popular, he potentially put his life and those around him in jeopardy. To show our support for animal rescue efforts, Verizon has made a donation to the Pennsylvania SPCA in Fishtown, an organization that helps care for and provide homes for abandoned cats and other animals."
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Jason Murdock is a staff reporter for Newsweek.
Based in London, Murdock previously covered cybersecurity for the International Business Times UK ... Read more
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