Trumbull’s Pescatore accused of questionable transactions
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By GENEVIEVE REILLY
Connecticut Post Online (Bridgeport, Connecticut)
TRUMBULL, Conn. — Town officials say the fire marshal misused town funds and got free meals, cameras and computer equipment in exchange for steering business to preferred vendors.
A dismissal hearing on the charges against Fire Marshal Robert Pescatore will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday in Town Hall.
Pescatore, who is paid $58,905 annually, has been on paid administrative leave since Feb. 21.
He was hired in 1986 as a deputy fire marshal and fire inspector and named fire marshal in 2001.
He did not return a call for comment Monday.
“Following the hearing, after hearing all the evidence, I will issue a written statement of my findings as well as any discipline I deem appropriate,” First Selectman Raymond G. Baldwin Jr. said.
The charges were drawn up following an investigation conducted by the internal auditor’s office.
According to the charges, Pescatore “exclusively” referred fire restoration work to JP McGuire Associates in exchange for meals, cameras, computer equipment, a police scanner as well as work on his own home for free or below-market rates.
It is also alleged Pescatore required tenants at Westfield Shoppingtown Trumbull to utilize TPC Associates for the installation and service of fire alarms. In return, Pescatore received meals, a car camera/video system “and other gratuities” from TPC.
A third charge alleges that Pescatore received two digital projectors, a computer and meals from Trumbull Professional Center in exchange for helping the business’ owner, Joseph Goldman, make owners of the condominium units in his building use only the services of M.J. Losito Electrical Contractors and Caplow Mechanical.
The letter of charges further states, " it has been your regular practice of conducting unannounced inspections at various food service establishments around the lunch or dinner hours with the expectation that the business would provide you with meals free of charge. This practice creates a perception of a quid pro quo for favorable treatment which is a form of bribery.”
In addition, it is alleged that Pescatore used funds from the fire marshal’s account to buy and install items in his car and his son’s, and scheduled testing and other work after regular hours in order to receive overtime pay.
None of the charges are criminal in nature.
“We conferred with the auditor and others with an interest in the case,” said Inspector Glenn Byrnes, the Trumbull police spokesman. “We’re not actively participating in the investigation.”
If Pescatore is dismissed, he has 30 days to file an appeal in Superior Court.