SMITHFIELD – One can’t be both a first responder and someone who participates in illegal drug use and distribution, says labor attorney Vincent Ragosta, who is representing Smithfield in its labor arbitration case against former Smithfield firefighter Thomas Mulcahey.
Fired over criminal activity that later was pleaded down to a lesser charge, former Smithfield firefighter Mulcahey is suing the town for his job and pension back.
“It’s been the town’s view that drug use, drug dealing, and affiliation with drug dealers, gun runners, are completely incompatible of a position of public trust as a firefighter,” Ragosta said.
Discussions continued in executive session on Tuesday, a process that will likely see the town enter a deal with Mulcahey, said Ragosta. On the agenda is a discussion and possible vote to finalize any settlement agreement from the arbitration.