Crime & Safety
Capt. Patalano Files Complaint against City, Seeks More than $5 Million
Patalano, back on the job after a 20-month leave, was cleared of misconduct charges by Acting Police Chief Kevin Barry earlier this month.
Capt. Todd Patalano has filed a complaint against the city alleging he was the victim of an abuse of power when placed on paid administrative leave for 20 months during an internal affairs investigation.
That investigation was based on what Patalano said were false charges cooked up by former Cranston Police Chief Marco Palomobo Jr. that accused Patalano of not accurately reporting civilian complaints of police misconduct as he led the internal affairs division.
Palombo retired as chief after Cranston Mayor Allan W. Fung brought in the State Police for a investigation into the so-called ticketgate scandal as well as a broader probe of the department's internal conflicts.
Patalano, back on the job since January, was cleared of the charges by Acting Police Chief Kevin Barry earlier this month.
The complaint, which seeks more than $5 million in damages and legal fees, was filed with the City Council's Claims Committee and is reportedly a precursor to a federal lawsuit.
Stay tuned for more details.
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