Two Richfield police officers fired on
theft charges Friday
RICHFIELD, Ohio --
Two Richfield police officers were fired Friday after Akron Municipal Court
dismissed charges of stealing fencing that had fallen off a truck on Interstate
271.
Robert Gilbert and
Anthony Riviotta were suspended Nov. 28. The officers pleaded guilty in court
and were ordered to complete a diversion program for first-time, nonviolent
offenders.
In return for
completing the program, the criminal charges against the two were dismissed
last week, but Gilbert and Riviotta still faced disciplinary action from the
police department.
After a hearing,
police Chief Keith Morgan decided to fire the men.
"There were
department charges filed against both officers," said Morgan. "After
reviewing the case and the internal investigation we found that the charges had
merit."
Morgan said that
Riviotta was found guilty of six charges of theft and Gilbert was found guilty
of nine out of 10 charges.
Prior to being
terminated, Gilbert, was placed on paid leave, as required because he is a
full-time officer. Riviotta, a part-time officer, was placed on unpaid leave.
The two men were off
duty Oct. 11 when a strap broke off of a tractor-trailer, causing a roll of
fencing to tumble onto the highway. Gilbert, who ticketed the driver for not
properly securing the fencing, and Riviotta arrived on the scene in their
personal cars.
Days after the
incident, the truck driver questioned authorities about what happened to the
fencing. It eventually was returned.
Gilbert has been with
the force since 1991 and Riviotta since 2001.