Milford Employee Fired, Charged After Accused Of Saying Racial Slur: Police

MILFORD, CT — A City of Milford employee was charged with intimidation based on bigotry and bias at Walnut Beach, police said.

On Aug. 23, officers responded to Walnut Beach for a report of a disturbance involving an intoxicated man, later identified as Patrick Secchiaroli, 55, of Milford, police said, and a recreation department employee.

“The Recreation Department was deeply saddened to hear of the incident at Walnut Beach,” Bill Garfield said, Recreation Department director. “In no way, shape or form was the behavior of Mr. Secchiaroli accepted or tolerated, and the City swiftly terminated his part-time employment. It is, and will always be, the goal of our department to provide activities and fun to all in the city of Milford.”

The victim stated they were walking around Walnut Beach when they passed by Secchiaroli; he called the victim a racial slur, police said.

The victim continued to walk around the lot when he walked past Secchiaroli again; he called the victim a racial slur a second time and approached the victim, police said.

The victim feared for his safety and pepper sprayed Secchiaroli, police said.

Witnesses confirmed the victim's story and said the incident was unprovoked, police said.

Secchiaroli was taken into custody and was charged accordingly, police said.

Later, officers were dispatched to the entrance to Lexington Green, police said.

They spoke to the victim, who said they picked up Secchiaroli from the police department after he was arrested, police said.

He started screaming and acting belligerent, getting in the victim’s face and being aggressive, police said.

Secchiaroli was again taken into custody and charged accordingly, police said.

Secchiaroli was charged with two counts of breach of peace, threatening and intimidation based on bigotry and bias, police said.