Mayor "Will Not Comment on Hearsay" Regarding Gloucester Police Chief

GLOUCESTER, MA – Many questions regarding Chief Leonard Campanello's termination turned retirement remain unanswered, even as the city seeks to answer them.

Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken's office posted answers to frequently asked questions online after agreeing to let Campanello retire this January rather than pursue termination proceedings. Theken announced last Monday that she would begin the process to fire Campanello after alleging that he tampered with evidence related to an investigation launched last month. Campanello was on administrative leave pending the investigation.

Campanello will remain on paid leave until his retirement on Jan. 3, 2017.

The city's post was quick to note that Campanello's contract was under the previous administration led by former Mayor Carolyn Kirk, and that it contained "unusual clauses" that allow Campanello to legally fight and appeal all disciplinary decisions. It also claims that the city will save money in legal fees by letting the chief retire rather than fight him in court.

"Our HR, legal, and budgetary teams agreed that the ultimate arrangement finalized with Campanello provide the City the least costly option, in every sense of the phrasing," said the post.

The post also promised to share answers regarding the investigation – which Theken said last week was spurred by disturbing allegations regarding Campanello's relationships with women – once the audits are complete.

"Sharing any results from these audits in advance would potentially jeopardize the integrity of any investigation and may violate legal and personnel agreements, too," said the post.

It also condemned rumors circulating on Facebook, and false accounts spreading "misinformation." The post asks anonymous accounts to identify themselves to support claims.

"We will not comment on hearsay or other potentially slanderous claims unless they have genuine validity and can showcase legitimate testimony, evidence or specific examples to support a claim," said the post.

According to a contract signed in 2014 under Kirk, Campanello was paid $127,890, annually.

Photo courtesy of the Gloucester Police Department

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