WPRO News and the Associated Press
COVENTRY, R.I. (AP) – The Coventry Fire District has suspended its fire chief as an independent authority investigates allegations of misconduct.
The Fire District’s board voted Monday to suspend Fire Chief Paul Labbadia with pay. He is barred from fire station premises and he must surrender all keys.
The board would not comment on who will investigate.
WPRI has reported that Labbadia was seen in video in a taxpayer-funded department vehicle headed to play golf, drinking during the day and driving the fire department vehicle back to work.
In an interview with WPRI, Labbadia denied wrongdoing. He said he was on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
WPRI reported that Labbadia was driving the department SUV with a suspended license for more than a year.
