By Allan Stein, Enterprise correspondent
STOUGHTON— A Stoughton police officer convicted of four corruption charges and a fellow officer who was acquitted on related charges both will remain on paid administrative leave pending separate review hearings.
Town Manager Mark S. Stankiewicz said a termination hearing will be held for Sgt. David M. Cohen in the town manager's office before Cohen is sentenced in Norfolk Superior Court Aug. 27.
Officer Robert E. Letendre will be called before an administrative review hearing with Stankiewicz before he is allowed to return to duty.
Cohen, an attorney, was found guilty by a Norfolk Superior Court jury Monday of two counts of intimidating a witness, armed attempted extortion and filing a false written police report.
The jury found Cohen not guilty of charges of kidnapping, assault and battery and filing a false written police report and acquitted Cohen of charges of kidnapping, assault and battery and having an unlawful financial interest in a separate matter.
The charges stem from two incidents, one involving a used car salesman on Jan. 20, 2000, and another a businessman soliciting venture capital on April 30, 2002.
Letendre was acquitted of charges of creating a false written police report to protect Cohen from prosecution and being an accessory after the fact to a kidnapping in the 2000 incident.
The trial of former Police Chief Manuel J. Cachopa on two related charges is expected to begin in Norfolk Superior Court on Oct. 29.
Since the three officers were indicted in 2005, Cohen, Letendre and Cachopa have been on administrative leave with full pay by order of selectmen.
Cachopa is currently being paid $139,121, Cohen $83,309 and Letendre $58,307.
These figures are for salary and benefits, excluding health insurance, for fiscal 2006 through fiscal 2007, Stankiewicz said.
Stankiewicz said a review of the court case, documents, evidence and testimony will be reviewed for Letendre to determine whether he violated Police Department rules and procedures.
“If Letendre violated any rules and procedures, they will have to be taken into account as to whether he returns to duty and/or warrants any disciplinary action. Cachopa will continue on paid leave unless the selectmen vote otherwise,” Stankiewicz said.
Given Cohen's criminal conviction, selectmen have the option of filing suit against Cohen for the return of the pay he received while under suspension, Stankiewicz said.
Selectmen Chairman Richard Levine said the board will be holding discussions following the review hearings with Cohen and Letendre.
The review hearings are done in accordance with civil service guidelines.
Many in town believe the criminal investigation and indictment of two ranking officers and a patrolman have been a blot on the Stoughton police force and a reflection of deep divisions within the department.
Detective Sgt. Daniel McGowan, a supporter of the Cohen and Letendre throughout the trial, however, disagrees the department is split over the issue.
“But there are differences of opinion within the department about how this entire event has been handled,” McGowan said.
“I am hoping Letendre will return to work immediately, and I am sure once David Cohen is granted an appeal, he will be found innocent of all charges. I hope that he returns to work too,” McGowan said.
Resident Edward Kundrot said Cohen should be made to “pay every cent back” in salary that he received while under suspension.
Kundrot said a group of residents is being formed to lobby the four selectmen for the return of the money.
“And we will picket around the center of town and spread leaflets with the selectmen's names, phone numbers and addresses demanding payback until the money is paid back,” Kundrot said.
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