Retired Medford Police Chief Knew Of Payroll Scandal: Report

MEDFORD, MA — The former head of the Medford Police Department knew several of his officers were abusing the overtime pay system but did not seek further action, according to a Boston Globe report. Retired chief Leo Sacco Jr. conducted his own informal probe after receiving an anonymous tip last year, ultimately confronting the officers involved last fall, according to documents obtained by the Globe.

Sacco told the officers the scheme was part of a "cultural and systematic problem" and ordered them to stop, but did not enact any disciplinary measures or push for further inquiry, the Globe reported. He retired days later after 28 years as the chief of police.

Twenty officers were suspended without pay and seven received a written letter of reprimand after a months-long investigation into violations of the department's detail policies this past summer. City officials ordered an independent investigation, conducted by former Massachusetts State Police captain Paul L'Italien, after learning policies may not have been followed during a construction project last year.

Officers have served their suspensions and repaid the cumulative $17,000 they wrongly received in full, Police Chief Jack Buckley told the Globe. Buckley did not immediately respond to a Patch request for comment.

Medford Mayor Stephanie M. Burke declined to comment for this story.

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