A fire captain has been placed on paid leave and ordered to stay away from all City of Omaha public buildings including fire stations after he allegedly threatened to kill the fire chief.

A letter obtained by 'Action 3 News,' Captain John Gruttemeyer is told by the city's Action Labor Relations Director, "It has come to my attention that on October 19, 2009, you made a threat that you would "kill' Chief Mike McDonnell if he (obscenity) with you ... you are hereby directed that you are banned from entering Omaha Fire Department Headquarters or any other City of Omaha facility at anytime for any purpose."

A fire department spokesman held a news conference Wednesday afternoon but offered few new details, calling it a personnel matter.  Gruttemeyer could face termination, and even criminal charges.

Captain Gruttemeyer called Action 3 News Reporter Michelle Bandur and says it's all a lie,

"All I wanted to say, Michelle, regarding this story- I am completely innocent of these charges 100 PERCENT. I haven't done this and wouldn't do something like that."

Michelle asked Gruttemeyer if he thought the chief was making it up, "I  can't say who is making it up because we don't know, nobody knows who is making the allegations. I would say whomever is saying it, is absolutely making it up because I never said that."