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.”