Ex-Avon Police Chief Acted In 'Toxic' And 'Creepy' Manner: Complaint

AVON/FARMINGTON, CT — A Farmington attorney's Freedom of Information battle with the Town of Avon regarding the abrupt retirement of Avon's police chief in 2019 is over.

After the Connecticut Supreme Court on April 23 declined to take the Town of Avon's appeal of Farmington attorney Joseph Sastre's FOI request, Avon Town Manager Brandon Robertson gave Sastre the documents he sought.

Those documents, obtained by Patch, show the 2019 controversy came amid complaints of "toxic" and "creepy" behavior in the APD locker room/gym involving the police chief at the time.

In November 2019, the Town of Avon and former Avon Police Department Chief Mark Rinaldo ironed out a severance agreement whereby Rinaldo "retired" from the department.

This came after Rinaldo was previously put on leave pending a probe of some accusations levied against him.

Sastre, a self-described "First Amendment activist" who lives in neighboring Farmington, said the situation had him, at first, "mildly curious" in 2019.

"But it was Avon’s attempt at secrecy that really piqued my interest," Sastre told Patch.

He said he, simply, wanted to know why Rinaldo was put on leave and what were the accusations about.

But the Town of Avon fought Sastre's 2019 requests for documents related to the complaint against the chief at the time.

The town did not allow Sastre to look at key documents, prompting Sastre to appeal to the state Freedom of Information Commission, which ruled in Sastre's favor.

Avon, however, appealed the FOI decision and lost in Connecticut Superior Court, which also ruled Avon had to hand Sastre over the documents.

This prompted Avon to appeal to the state Appellate Court, which also ruled in favor of Sastre just this past March.

When Avon sought to have the Connecticut Supreme Court hear the case, the court on April 23 said the town's application to have the case heard was "denied," according to a document obtained by Patch.

Out of legal options, the town handed over an 11-page log of complaints against the police chief from 2018-19.

"I don’t feel vindicated. I feel disgusted," Sastre told Patch. "Disgusted that public agencies are able to dog the open records system this thoroughly."

He thanked ACLU Connecticut, which provided legal counsel in his court battles against the town.

Meanwhile, the documents detailing the allegations against the former chief paint a picture of a "toxic" and "creepy" situation in the department at the time, especially in the locker room and department gym.

The gym is frequently used by male and female APD employees/officers.

Among the accusations detailed in a log of complaints between 2018-19, is "inappropriate" behavior, including walking around the gym with just a towel and leaving the locker room door open in the gym, so those working out can see inside.

The complainant, according to the documents, told the chief his behavior was "not normal" and alleged he was "unprofessional."

Other incidents documented in the complaint against Rinaldo included singing vulgar songs while working out and an incident where the chief hugged the complainant and kissed the individual on the neck, saying "I love you."

The hugging/kissing incident, according to the documents, was on Oct. 25, 2019 and was the last listing in a two-year-long log of issues raised.

One of the log's more prominent listings was written on Nov. 15, 2018 about the chief.

"His tone and way he treats me is way beyond unprofessional," wrote the complainant. "I said I no longer was going to talk to him and he laughed because he enjoys picking at me and making me upset."

The complainant goes on to say, "I want it in my notes that I, legit, have to fake being nice. I only do it for the department and town. I know nothing would ever come of a complaint and I would be the target."

Said the complainant, Nov. 15, 2018: "As for me, I can't wait to find a new job and get away from this toxic person."

When reached by Patch Tuesday afternoon, Robertson did not comment about the court rulings or challenges. He did say since Rinaldo's retirement, the APD has had good leadership take over.

"Once this matter was brought to our attention, the prior police chief was immediately placed on administrative leave and he subsequently chose to retire," wrote Robertson to Patch Tuesday.

"The town was extremely fortunate that Jim Rio was willing and available to step in and lead the department forward. Chief Paul Melanson has picked up where Jim Rio left off and continues to provide excellent leadership to the Avon Police Department."

Contact information for Rinaldo was not readily available.

From Dec. 9, 2019: 'Embattled Avon Police Chief Will Retire'