Boston firefighter pleads not guilty to fraud

BOSTON—A former Boston firefighter who participated in a bodybuilding contest after claiming he was permanently disabled has pleaded not guilty to fraud.

Albert Arroyo pleaded not guilty in federal court in Boston on Thursday to one count of mail fraud for what prosecutors say was an attempt to collect a tax-free accidental disability pension to which he was not entitled.

Arroyo, 47, claimed he was disabled when he hurt his back after he slipped and fell in a Jamaica Plain fire station in March 2008, but was seen two months later participating in a bodybuilding contest.

A lawyer representing Arroyo has said that bodybuilding was good for his back injury. But prosecutors say Arroyo didn’t disclose the physical activity in his disability pension application.