Frank Cole: I Am Innocent

Frank Cole, one of two town employees accused of stealing money from the Guilford-Madison Transfer Station, says he is innocent of all charges.

His attorney and about 30 friends, neighbors, and co-workers showed up at pre-disciplinary hearing at Guilford town hall Thursday afternoon to support him and testify on his behalf.

Shortly after the entire group filed up to the hearing room on the second floor of town hall--men, women, and children, including babies in arms--Richard W. Lynch, Cole's attorney and former neighbor, met with First Selectman Joseph Mazza and other town officials. Guilford Police Chief Terribile arrived a few minutes later and said he would stay until the large crowd, which was orderly and respectful, dispersed.

While Cole's attorney met in the first select men's office, several of Cole's co-workers expressed their support of Cole and their concerns about the process.

David Offredi, a welder with the town's public works department, said some of his co-workers had received phone calls warning them not to show up to support Cole. "They were told it wasn't in their best interest to come," he said. He said he did not know who made the phone calls.

John P. Holthausen, a retired emergency services worker, and others said they were concerned that Cole was not told who made the accusations that led to the charges. "He has a right to know who his accuser is," Holthausen said. "With something like this, how do you prove you're innocent? Usually you are presumed innocent until proven guilty. In Guilford they put you in weights and chains. If you sink to the bottom and drown, you are innocent."

After the brief meeting in Mazza's office, a small group went into the hearing room and most of the rest of the group left to go back to their jobs and homes.

Scott A. Halliday, Cole's friend from fourth grade in Milford, waited outside the hearing room for his friend.

"This man is a wonderful man, there is no way he did this," Halliday said. "We were in the same class in the fourth grade, I was there at his wedding, I've watched his family grow. Although Milford to Madison can be a two-day trip sometimes, there is no way I wouldn't be here."

Halliday said the events of the past few weeks have been devastating for a man like Cole who took pride in his work and his good reputation in the community. The police showing up at his door. The arrest. Jail. Having to post bond. The front page articles in the newspaper that landed on his neighbors' doorsteps the next day.

And, several weeks ago, Cole buried his father.

How is Cole holding up?

Halliday paused to consider that question.

"He's been through a lot, but he's a level-headed guy," Halliday said. "He's on an even keel."