PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI) — Six former members of the Pawtucket Fire Department are suing the city, claiming they were unlawfully fired for off-duty cannabis use and are seeking reinstatement.
The lawsuit stems from an investigation earlier this year. Following an internal probe, the city found that several firefighters “engaged in possible criminal activity,” which led to a criminal investigation in April. Although the city initially said eight firefighters were involved, Pawtucket Police Chief and acting Director of Public Safety Tina Goncalves has confirmed to 12 News that the investigation included ten. She said six were terminated, one resigned and three retired.
BACKGROUND: 8 Pawtucket firefighters at center of criminal investigation
According to the Oct. 25 complaint, Thomas Trabulsi, Lareto Guglietta, Clinton Lyles and Noah LeBlanc were fired April 15, while two others, Jonathan Sundquist and Stephen Gomes, were fired May 29.
The city has not disclosed the scope of the investigation. At the time, Pawtucket attorney Vincent Ragosta told 12 News he hadn’t “seen anything to this degree” or as bold in terms of the “rather cavalier approach to their criminal conduct.”…