Woman At Center Of Danvers Bar Brawl Resigns From State Police

DANVERS, MA -- Leigha Genduso resigned from the Massachusetts State Police after a report concluded that she did not disclose her role as an un-indicted witness in a high-profile drug case against her ex-boyfriend. Genduso resigned after the report was issued Friday but is reportedly appealing her dishonorable discharge. Genduso, who was suspended in February, had been tending bar at the Osborne Tavern up until a July 4 fight involving the friends of a drug dealer Genduso testified against in 2007 in exchange for immunity.

The State Police report places all of the blame on Genduso, saying her "omissions and deceptive responses" were the reason the background check did not uncover ties to the drug dealer. The report only notes that Genduso was living with Daniel Risteen when she applied to become a state trooper in 2012. Risteen was third in command at the Massachusetts State Police until he retired in February. Nor does the report conclude that the inclusion of Risteen's friend Lieutenant Colonel Francis Hughes on the three-person review board that approved Genduso’s background investigation was a factor in her hiring.

Genduso has not responded to requests for comment. During the July 4 fight at the Osborn, the manager sustained a concussion. The fight involved friends of Sean Bucci, Genduso's ex-boyfriend, who she dealt marijuana with in the early 2000's. In exchange for immunity, Genduso testified against Bucci, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison following his 2007 trial.

After her 2007 testimony, Genduso eventually got a job as a civilian State Police dispatcher and applied to become a state police officer in 2012. She was hired in 2014. In her application she disclosed that she had used marijuana in 1999 but did not disclose her role in Bucci's operation or conviction.

Danvers Selectmen are considering disciplinary action against the Osborn for failing to report the physical altercation. While Genduso was not working on the night of the fight, she was present and quit the following day.

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2014 photo of Leigha Genduso by Massachusetts State Police.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).