NORTHVILLE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A veteran fire chief’s sudden departure last month remains unexplained.
The Detroit News reported that Richard Marinucci Jr., 62, either voluntarily resigned or was pushed out for unexplained reasons. Marinucci became Northville Township’s chief eight years ago after 32 years with the Farmington Hills Fire Department, 24 spent as chief. He has headed numerous professional firefighter groups, including past president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and executive director of the Fire Department Safety Officers Association.
Speculation about what led the move is fueled by anonymous emails sent to several Metro Detroit news agencies. One email even alleged Marinucci was escorted out of the fire department’s offices last month.
“He has resigned and beyond that it is a personnel matter and we don’t discuss personnel matters,” John Werth, the township’s director of public safety, said.
Werth supervises the 30-member fire department and is now its acting chief, according to the report.
Officials said Chief Marinucci was an at-will employee, meaning his employment could be terminated at any time without explanation.
“I don’t care what anyone is saying, I never submitted my resignation,” Chief Marinucci said. “I’ve heard some of the rumors and none of it is true.... We had a brief discussion and I was told not to report to work.”
Marinucci’s attorney, Jill Schinske, said she is investigating all events leading up to her client “being forced out in a very strange manner,” according to the report.
“They claim he resigned but he never did, yet they have made public statements to that effect,” Schinske said. “None of it is clear and we plan to pursue this and decide what happens next.”