By Jaime Rebhan | Wareham Week The Town of Wareham will not appeal the state Civil Service Commission’s decision regarding the firing of Lieutenant Donald Bliss, according to Bliss’ lawyer, Andrew Gambaccini. “I have been advised by counsel for the town that there will be no appeal of the Commission’s decision,” Gambaccini wrote in an e-mail. More than two years after he was fired from
In a fierce battle waged over a prolonged period, RJA represented the Chief of Police of Methuen Massachusetts who was terminated by his appointing authority, the Mayor, after the political winds began to blow against the Chief and the Mayor seized the opportunity to score points leading up to a re-election bid. After the Mayor fired the Chief at the local level, the matter was
As some may know, generally a police officer’s challenge to discipline is not brought to arbitration by the officer, but only can be brought to arbitration by an officer’s union. There also are times when, for various reasons, an officer does not wish to be represented by union counsel. In a recent case handled by RJA, an officer wished to have RJA handle his challenge
By Frank Mulligan | Gatehouse News Service WAREHAM — The Civil Service Commission issued a unanimous decision Thursday to return Donald Bliss to his position as a Wareham Police lieutenant with an award of an estimated $200,000-plus in back pay and benefits lost since he was fired from the post in February 2009. His attorney, Andrew J. Gambaccini, stated in a press release, “At this
By Neal Simpson | The Patriot Ledger HINGHAM — A federal judge has dismissed charges against police officials made by a Hingham blogger who was accused of sending out a bogus campaign email – one that appeared to be from a selectman – in 2006. Russell Reeves, author of the Hingham Blog, has formally indicated that he will appeal the ruling, which was issued by
By J.J. Huggins | Eagle Tribune METHUEN — Police officers being sued for slander by one of their own have the First Amendment on their side, according to their attorney. Sgt. Larry Phillips is suing the city, police Chief Joseph Solomon, Capt. Randy Haggar, Lt. Michael Pappalardo, Capt. Katherine Lavigne, Officer Joseph Aiello, Officer Ronald Valliere and the patrolmen’s union. He alleges Solomon financed a
Additional Information: Can my former employer terminate severance payments (salary continuation) if I gain employment prior to the severance term expiring? ATTORNEY ANSWER: There is no obligation in Massachusetts for employers to pay severance in most instances. The employer may unilaterally set the terms upon which it will pay severance, or the employer and employee may agree to the terms of the severance as part
Additional Information: In my original employment offer letter, I was offered travel reimbursement as part of my compensation. I have submitted my travel expenses but my employer hasn’t reimbursed me. Are employers in Massachusetts legally required to pay vehicle expenses that were offered in a written employment offer? ATTORNEY ANSWER: The employment offer and your acceptance of it form a contract binding upon the employer
ATTORNEY ANSWER: Generally, an employer may not request information from a job applicant concerning any misdemeanor convictions older than five years. That does not mean that the prospective employer may not acquire the information from another source. Some employers, such as criminal justice agencies, armed forces, and many social services agencies or providers are authorized to obtain criminal record information about a job applicant. Once
ATTORNEY ANSWER: The employment reference process is one that the courts have recognized as privileged so long as the past employer conveys honest reference information. In other words, so long as your previous employer does not make any false factual statements, it can provide an unflattering, or “bad”, reference. Your previous employer has a duty to respond truthfully to questions about your employment or it
