JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A 38-year-old firefighter is charged with conspiring to discredit an assistant fire marshal in an effort to get him fired.

According to police reports Edward Colleton was arrested for criminal solicitation and conspiracy to commit official misconduct in an alleged plot that targeted Assistant Fire Marshal Alonzo McQueen.

Colleton, an engineer with the Jacksonville Fire Department, reportedly asked a woman who used to work for the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Division to accuse McQueen of raping her at her home.

The woman then contacted McQueen about the scam, who called the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

The report said Colleton hoped to get McQueen fired because of "animosity" between McQueen and fire prevention investigator Charlie Conner. Police said Colleton and Conner are close friends and that there had been friction between Conner and McQueen because the chief had to reprimand Conner in the past for job performance.

The report also said Colleton wanted his friend to get McQueen's job.

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McQueen Heard About Plot, Called Police

In a conversation recorded by police, Colleton told the woman that if she made this false claim, she could sue the city for $500,000 and the city would settle. She would also give Colleton some money from that suit.

McQueen told Channel 4 Investigator Jim Piggott that he wanted to talk about the case, but that officials wouldn't let him until the investigation was complete.

Officials said that Colleton is on leave without pay pending the investigation, and is being held in the Duval County jail on $250,000 bond. His court appearance is set for Dec. 6.

"Anytime you have someone in a position of authority, that citizens depend on them for being responsible and having integrity -- that's a very serious charge," said Jay Plotkin with the State Attorney's Office.

Conner has not been charged with any crime.