Crime & Safety

McMahon Files Second Lawsuit Against City

The former acting chief of the Middletown Police Department is again challenging his firing earlier this year and is seeking his job back.

The city’s former acting police chief Patrick McMahon has filed another lawsuit against the city, challenging his firing earlier this year following allegations he drank alcohol in a local bar while carrying his badge and gun. McMahon was fired Feb. 23 by Mayor Dan Drew after a Loudermill hearing.

The four-count civil action, filed this week in Norwich Superior Court, alleges that the city and some of its prominent leaders, including Mayor Daniel Drew, former Mayor Sebastian Giuliano and current police Chief William McKenna sought to oust McMahon either for political gain or to clear the way for McKenna to become chief.

McMahon, who lives in Norwich, says in his lawsuit that his firing was unjust and unreasonable. He is seeking reinstatement to his job, punitive damages against the city and other damages in excess of $15,000.

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He alleges in his legal action that the city fired him without just cause, that its officials broke the legal obligation of good faith negotiations and fair dealings and that some city officials engaged in “civil conspiracy.”

Another lawsuit McMahon filed against the city last year was dismissed in October after a judge found that McMahon lacked legal protections against being fired that he had claimed in the lawsuit.

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