Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes ofwebsite accessibility
Weather Alert
Rain ends Friday morning
Show Less
Close Alert

Seekonk police chief files lawsuit against town over his firing


{p}Seekonk Police Chief Dean Isabella on a lawsuit against the town of Seekonk, Treasurer Christine Defontes, the Board of Selectmen and its Chairman Justin Sullivan. (WJAR){ }{/p}

Seekonk Police Chief Dean Isabella on a lawsuit against the town of Seekonk, Treasurer Christine Defontes, the Board of Selectmen and its Chairman Justin Sullivan. (WJAR)

Facebook Share IconTwitter Share IconEmail Share Icon

Seekonk Police Chief Dean Isabella is out of a job on Friday after more than two years.

"The chief, as any individual would, feels betrayed," said Isabella's attorney, Eric Brainsky. "He feels that he's been unjustifiably targeted and terminated."

Town Administrator Shawn Cadime confirmed to NBC 10 the Seekonk Board of Selectmen voted to rescind Isabella's appointment as chief of police on Wednesday night.

Brainsky is representing Isabella on a lawsuit against the town of Seekonk, Treasurer Christine Defontes, the Board of Selectmen and its Chairman Justin Sullivan.

The lawsuit is seeking damages for "breach of contract and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing."

"[The Board is] interpreting and applying their charter to allow them to essentially rescind the contract at will, which is unconstitutional," said Brainsky. "The lawsuit now seeks not only damages related to is amounts owed on the contract were made, salary and benefits but the chief's reputation has been destroyed."

NBC 10 News reached out to Cadime for comment on the lawsuit but did not hear back.

Cadime previously told the NBC 10 I-Team the decision was fueled by a "directional shift" in the department. Brainsky said he received the same reasoning from the board.

Earlier this month, a GoLocalProv article called Isabella a leading candidate for the soon-to-be-open Providence police chief position. The publication later reported that Isabella donated to Providence Mayor Brett Smiley's campaign and talked with him on multiple occasion.

NBC 10 News asked Brainsky whether he believed Isabella's ousting was retaliation.

"I can't speculate as to what the town's motives were in doing this," he responded. "What I can tell you is this absolutely in violation of his constitutional and statutory rights."

Additionally, Brainsky told NBC 10 Isabella had no intentions of submitting the cover letter to the Providence Police Department that was found on his computer.

"You can't blame a guy who's in his contract year for preparing paperwork in the unlikely event that the town chose not to bring him back," he explained. "He was putting his ducks in a row and there's nothing wrong with that."

The lawsuit seeks damages related to the money owed on Isabella's contract as well emotional trauma on behalf of the chief and his family.

Brainsky said this is loss for not only Isabella but the entire Seekonk Police Department.

"They need strong leadership just like any other business organization, and the town of strip them for no reason," he said.

Isabella became chief in late 2020 after former Chief Frank John was mysteriously put on leave in March 2019.

Prior to serving with the Seekonk Police Department, Isabella was a Providence police office for more than 30 years. He left that position in 2019 for a job at the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families.

No information regarding a replacement has been released.

Loading ...