Coventry Fire District Board of Directors meets about the status of suspended Chief Paul Labbadia. Photo by Andrew Augustus, WPRO
Andrew Augustus, WPRO News
After an investigation approved by the Board of Directors of the Coventry Fire District, Fire Chief Paul Labbadia status has been changed from suspended with pay to suspend without pay.
Chairman of the board Frank Palin said, “The investigating attorney did provide us with enough information to make a move.”
The meeting started with the board going into executive session to look at the results of the investigation into Chief Labbadia. After 30 minutes, the board came out of executive session and restarted the meeting.
“I reviewed it (Labbadia’s contract) prior to the finance meeting. There is no language no verbiage whatsoever that says we can suspend him with pay or without pay,” said Palin.
By a unanimous vote, the status of Labbadia was changed from suspended with pay to suspended without pay.
Following the vote a motion was made to send the results to the State Police and to have them further investigate the matter. That motion was passed unanimously.
State Representative Patricia Morgan says the motion to suspend without pay is good for the tax payer.
“It seems so clear from Tim White’s footage that he was not paying attention to his duties here at the fire district,” said Morgan.
While Labbadia is on suspension, veteran firefighter Bob Warren will be the acting chief.
