Dighton Fire Chief suspended without pay

Ana Bottary

abottary@abc6.com

@anabottary

Dighton Fire Chief Antone Roderick has been suspended without pay after a unanimous vote by the Dighton Board of Selectman Wednesday. The board made its decision based on accusations, the chief used part of his $1,050 yearly clothing allowance to buy someone else women’s clothing.
 
"He has offended not only this board..but the tax payers of this town whether it be 235 dollars, or 235 thousand dollars his trust now has been discredited," says Selectman Dean Cronin.

Court documents ABC6 news obtained show the town accountant noticed irregularities with multiple invoices from September of last year during an audit of towns finances. To name a few, an extra small women’s rain coat and a pair of Nike women’s pants. State Police believe the invoices were altered to get rid of the word women’s. Roderick admitted to altering the rain coat invoice, stating in part he was "embarrassed to be buying a women’s jacket, saying it was better for his size." His girlfriend later admitted Roderick gave her one the items.

Selectmen Dean Cronin says the board brought the invoices to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinns’ office, who then filed charges against Roderick including larceny, and making a false statement to police. Cronin says Chief Roderick misused even more money than they originally thought.

"It’s going to be a substantial amount," says Cronin.

He says in the thousands, and expects charges to be upgraded. Not all feel that the chief should not have received the punishment he did.
 
"It’s a crying shame he should have been treated with a little more respect. I wouldn’t be hounding him until he is proven guilty," says Robert Woods, Former Director of Veterans Services.

(c)WLNE-TV 2016