EAST HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — Police commissioners will be voting Tuesday on whether to urge the mayor to fire the police chief instead of letting him retire amid allegations that local officers abused Latinos
Leonard Gallo on Monday announced his retirement following last week's arrests of four town officers on charges they waged a campaign against Latinos that included beatings, false arrests and harassment. The officers have pleaded not guilty.
Gallo's lawyer, Jon Einhorn, says his client is an unnamed co-conspirator in the federal indictment, accused of blocking efforts by the police commission to investigate misconduct. Einhorn denies the claims.
Einhorn said the police commission is using politics by considering a recommendation to fire his client when he's not been found guilty of any offense.
"This is absolutely undiluted politics," he said Tuesday.
Einhorn disputed Board Chairman Fred Brow's contention that Gallo will receive between $130,000 and $150,000 in severance pay if allowed to retire. Einhorn said Gallo will receive unused overtime, vacation days and health insurance, but no severance pay. He said he did not know how much the overtime and vacation days are worth.
Brow said Monday that by firing Gallo, town officials will save taxpayer money.
"Why pay him? Why drop another 130 grand on the taxpayers?" he said.
Einhorn said the police commission is assuming his client is guilty of charges in a lawsuit filed by Hispanic residents accusing the police department of abuse, but Einhorn said that wasn't grounds for action.
In addition, Gallo has not been charged with any criminal offense, Einhorn said. He said Gallo could be charged by federal prosecutors, and if he is, Gallo will be vindicated.
Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. praised Gallo on Monday as a devoted public servant and called his decision to retire a "selfless act."
The 64-year-old Gallo had been suspended as police chief in April 2010 after the FBI launched the criminal investigation, but was reinstated to the post in November after Maturo took office. That decision has been called into question by officials and many residents.
The four officers, who are on paid administrative leave, were arrested Jan. 24 by the FBI and face charges including deprivation of rights and obstruction of justice.
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