Wellesley Fire Chief Pays For Violating Conflict Of Interest Law

WELLESLEY, MA — Wellesley Fire Chief Richard DeLorie has admitted to violating the conflict of interest law by participating in the town’s hiring of his son as a firefighter and using his official position to alter the hiring process in favor of his son.

He will now pay a $10,000 civil penalty for violating conflict of interest law.

DeLorie's son passed the firefighter entrance exam in 2018, when Wellesley had three entry-level firefighter openings. In writing, DeLorie notified the Board of Selectmen that he would not participate in any capacity in the firefighter review and selection process because of his son's involvement.

Documents show that DeLorie did participate in the process on multiple occasions.

A panel consisting of the assistant chief, the town human resources director and staff, the president of the firefighters union, and a ranking member of the Fire Department interviewed 8 candidates for the three open positions, and DeLorie's son was not selected.

DeLorie criticized the panel's choices after learning his son was not chosen. He ordered the assistant chief to halt the hiring process while he consulted with members of the Board of Selectmen.

In emails to the vice chair, DeLorie expressed concern that the interview panel did not consider the community involvement of the candidates.

The chair reminded DeLorie that DeLorie had recused himself from the hiring process and needed to stay away from the process. DeLorie was relentless, making sure there was another round of interviews, focusing on community involvement, which got his son recommended in the top three this time.

When another position became available during the interview process, DeLorie's son was selected.

DeLorie violated this prohibition by intervening as fire chief to have the hiring process halted and redirected to favor his son.