The City of Boston is facing a legal battle over $279,899 in legal fees for two police officers who were acquitted in an overtime pay scam. Former officers Timothy Torigian and Robert Twitchell, along with two others, were acquitted of criminal embezzlement charges last year. Nine officers pleaded guilty in the scam, and one was convicted. An arbitrator ruled that the city must pay the legal fees for Torigian and Twitchell as per their collective bargaining agreement, but the city filed a lawsuit in Suffolk Superior Court to avoid the payment.
The city claims that the grievance for reimbursement was filed too late, as Torigian and Twitchell voluntarily left the department in 2020. The union argues that the 30-day limit for filing grievances began the day of their acquittal. The arbitrator sided with the union, ordering Boston to pay the fees. The union has called for the judge to confirm the $279,899 award. The Boston Police Superior Officers Federation did not provide a comment on the matter.
This legal battle highlights the complex issues surrounding law enforcement and accountability in Boston. The outcome of the case will have significant implications for how cities handle legal fees for police officers accused of wrongdoing in the future.
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