Rhode Island deputy chief charged with assaulting lieutenant is back on job
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Cranston’s deputy fire chief, who is also the department’s union president, returned to the job Monday after six weeks of paid leave, the NBC 10 I-Team has learned.
Paul Valletta, 59, of Warwick was arrested and charged with assault for allegedly punching and grappling with a fellow firefighter following a heated argument at the Scituate Avenue firehouse in early September.
Valletta pled not guilty to an assault charge during his arraignment last month and said was looking forward to the truth coming out. He was ordered to stay away from Lieutenant Scott Bergantino, who made the accusations.
Bergantino has also been asked to return to work this week, according to his attorney Chip Mueller, who said the restraining order his client has against Valletta could prove problematic if an emergency situation came up. “We’re disappointed that he’s back to work without any penalty,” said Mueller.
