http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-nor.firefighter6dec16,0,2359650.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlines
By Matt Breslow
Staff Writer
December 16, 2004
NORWALK -- A firefighter suspended without pay and charged with larceny in August was arrested again yesterday, hours before attending a closed-door fire commission discussion on his employment status.
Andre Williams, 42, of 54 William St. -- a city fireman since 1986 -- was charged yesterday with first-degree larceny and three counts of issuing a bad check. He was released on a promise to appear in court Dec. 23.
Williams turned himself in to Norwalk police yesterday morning in a case in which he allegedly wrote three bad checks totalling $12,500, police Capt. John Cashin said.
Later in the day, the Board of Fire Commissioners met with Williams; his attorney, William Pelletreau of Norwalk; and fire and union officials in executive session for about a half-hour during the board's regular meeting at City Hall.
After the closed-door session, listed on the meeting's agenda as "performance evaluation/disciplinary proceedings" for Williams, commission Chairman Michael Corsello said no vote was necessary as the firefighter's employment status was not being altered.
Commissioners voted Aug. 31 to suspend Williams without pay over an undisclosed matter involving what Jeffry Spahr, an attorney for the city, described as "allegations of serious misconduct within the workplace."
The board revisited Williams' status at a Nov. 3 meeting but declined to lift his suspension because there remained "outstanding issues . . . of concern" to commissioners, Spahr said at the time.
Yesterday also marked Williams' most recent scheduled appearance in state Superior Court in Norwalk in another case in which he allegedly passed bad checks. Williams was charged Aug. 25 with second-degree larceny and three counts of issuing a bad check in a case involving a total of $9,850, police said.
Pelletreau could not be reached for comment after the meeting.
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