Restaurant added to lawsuit filed by widow of former New Bedford fire chief

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — Attorneys representing the family of former New Bedford Fire Chief Phil Coderre, Jr. said they have filed a lawsuit against Bayside Lounge in Fairhaven accusing the restaurant of being responsible in his death.

The lawsuit said that the restaurant contributed to Coderre’s death by “continuing to serve him alcohol when he was noticeably intoxicated and saying he was suicidal for hours on Dec. 29, 2023.”

The attorneys already had filed a lawsuit against New Bedford alleging civil conspiracy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation, invasion of privacy, and abuse of process.

The office of Mayor of Jon Mitchell said that the claim was “without merit” and that the city had filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit that will be heard on May 6.

Mitchell’s statement can be read below:

The complaint is without merit. The termination of Paul Coderre was appropriate and legally justified under the circumstances. The city intends to vigorously defend this claim in court and pursue all of its legal defenses to the groundless claims set forth in the plaintiffs’ complaint.

Coderre was previously fired by the city for “dishonesty” and “untruthfulness” after they determined he was lying about an injury he was receiving full pay for while on leave.

Coderre was killed by police on Dec. 29, 2023 after “threatening to shoot himself or police” before shooting at officers at the Bayside Lounge.

The Bristol County District Attorney Office later released a report that determined officers acted appropriately in the incident.

ABC 6 has reached out to the Bayside Lounge for comment and is waiting for a response.