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Charges possible against Fitchburg officer linked to accused drug dealer



FITCHBURG —  A police lieutenant fired Friday for his alleged friendship with a suspected Fitchburg cocaine dealer could face criminal charges, according to Police Chief Robert A. DeMoura.

“We are re-interviewing witnesses to see where we stand with potentially going forward with a criminal case,” the chief said.

Police Lt. Joaquin Kilson, 51, a 19-year Fitchburg Police Department veteran, was fired Friday after a five-month internal affairs investigation for his alleged association with the alleged dealer, whom a police source confirmed is Lazaro Paulino, 37, of 39 Winter St.

Mr. Paulino, 37, pleaded not guilty Jan. 26 in Worcester Superior Court to two counts of trafficking in 28 to 100 grams of cocaine, offenses alleged to have occurred Jan. 14, 2010, and April 8, 2010, in Fitchburg. Judge Janet Kenton-Walker set Mr. Paulino's bail at $10,000 cash.

Fitchburg Police Sgt. Glenn Fossa announced Lt. Kilson's firing on Monday.

An internal investigation determined he socialized with the alleged drug dealer, maintained regular cellphone contact with him and stayed at his home in the Dominican Republic, Sgt. Fossa said.

A hearings officer, appointed by the mayor, upheld personnel charges against Lt. Kilson including untruthfulness, improper associations and conduct unbecoming an officer.

Lt. Kilson, Sgt. Fossa said, was placed on administrative leave in January after it was discovered he had associations with at least one of the 16 people arrested Jan. 26 in “Operation Red Wolf.”

Mr. Kilson was later questioned by the FBI and state and local police.

During that investigation, Chief DeMoura said yesterday, Lt. Kilson lied to the FBI. Moreover, Chief DeMoura said, Lt. Kilson compromised other members of the Police Department at least one time because of his alleged relationship with Mr. Paulino. The chief did not give details of the incident.

“We seriously looked at what transpired and my request was termination,” Chief DeMoura said.

He said Lt. Kilson, who came to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic in 1970, has known the alleged drug dealer since 1996, when he first worked undercover in the city's drug unit. He said he is not sure about the nature of the relationship between them at that time, but it was clear during the recent investigation that Lt. Kilson was aware of his friend's alleged criminal activity.

“It is very concerning,” Chief DeMoura said. “For myself, being a 10-year veteran in a narcotics unit, from the information and testimony given, it is very apparent what was going on in these individuals' lives. (Lt. Kilson) lied during the investigation to the FBI. There is not a place in law enforcement for an individual like that.”

The police union is assisting Mr. Kilson with an appeal of his dismissal and has requested an outside arbitrator to hear the case.

Mr. Kilson did not return calls seeking comment.

Chief DeMoura said the appeals process could take anywhere from three months to three years.

 “Operation Red Wolf” was a two-year FBI investigation into illegal firearm sales, drug trafficking and related gang activities in Fitchburg. Twenty people were indicted in the investigation, including the 16 arrested during the operation on Jan. 26.

 “The bigger picture here is the case of narcotics in Fitchburg,” Chief DeMoura said. “We're following the money to see where the trail leads us. The investigation revealed money from the proceeds might have been used for real estate development and real estate purchased with drug money.”

 Chief DeMoura said the situation with Mr. Kilson is not uncommon in other cities.

 “Unfortunately these things happen,” he said. “There were a large number of officers fired in New York for the same thing. Everyone thinks this is the exception to the rule and it just happens here, but it happens in a lot of places.”