RI chief followed around by news crew is suspended with pay

Previous coverage of this story

The board of Rhode Island’s Coventry Fire District decided last (Monday) night to suspend Chief Paul Labbadia with pay pending an investigation by an independent authority. Labbadia was followed around for months by a crew from WPRI-TV with reporter Tim White sharing the findings of the “undercover investigation” late last week. The results of the investigation and the lengthy interview with the chief were quite embarrassing for Labbadia and the department.

Shaune Towne, Tim White, WPRI-TV:

“The chief is hereby prohibited from entering premises during that suspension,” he (board chairman James Beckman) said.

Labbadia, 48, was seen in undercover video leaving work in a taxpayer-funded department vehicle to go play golf in another town for hours on end; drinking during the day, then driving the fire department vehicle back to work; and even taking the department vehicle to a party on Federal Hill, where he drank and appeared to smoke – and share – marijuana before once again getting behind the wheel.

It was later revealed that Labbadia had been driving the department SUV with a suspended license for more than a year.

In a wide-ranging interview with Target 12, Labbadia denied any wrongdoing.