Rodin's driver fired following investigation

Gun, drugs were found in his car The Office of the President fired Donald Gaines, University President Judith Rodin's driver and staff assistant, yesterday after an internal investigation into drugs, a loaded gun and ammunition found in his car last month, Rodin said yesterday. Administrators from Rodin's office, the Department of Public Safety and the Division of Human Resources recommended that Gaines be fired in reporting the results of the investigation. Vice President Steve Schutt, Rodin's chief of staff, said the three offices conducted the investigation jointly. Rodin would not discuss the results of the investigation, saying that it was part of Gaines' confidential personnel file. University Police Officer John Washington discovered and seized a plastic bag of marijuana, a loaded .22-caliber revolver and several types of bullets on February 26 from Gaines' car, which was parked in a University lot at 38th and Walnut streets. When police ran a computer check of the serial number on the revolver, they found it was registered to Gaines. The check also revealed that Gaines had a concealed weapons permit, according to a University Police officer close to the incident. The University's policy on dangerous articles forbids employees from possessing "firearms, weapons [or] ammunition? in University buildings or on University property." The policy exempts University Police officers who are authorized to "carry, keep and handle pistols, firearms and ammunition." City laws allow Gaines, a retired Philadelphia Police officer, to carry a weapon. But the University's policy forbids possession of a handgun "irrespective of any license or authority." The policy also recognizes that "specific classifications of employees may be required to utilize dangerous articles or hazardous materials on campus to carry out their job duties." But Gaines was not required to carry a gun as part of his responsibilities in the president's office, according to Steve Schutt, University vice president and Rodin's chief of staff. John Heuer, director of staff and labor relations, said yesterday that the Division of Human Resources and Rodin's office were determining whether Gaines violated the University's policy on dangerous articles. While Rodin declined to discuss the specifics of the Gaines' investigation, she confirmed that her office considered the University's policy on weapons, in addition to other issues, in deciding to fire Gaines. Gaines could not be reached for comment last night. His responsibilities included planning events on campus and at Rodin's residence, as well as maintaining and driving her University-provided car, Schutt said last week.