Bounced check charges reinstated as firefighter fails to pay restitution

By John Nickerson
Staff Writer
Article Launched: 06/19/2008 01:00:00 AM EDT

NORWALK - A city firefighter had charges reinstated against him yesterday for bouncing six checks worth $22,000 after he failed to pay restitution.

At his hearing in state Superior Court in Norwalk yesterday, firefighter Andre Williams, 45, had his charges - six counts of writing a bad check and single counts each of first-degree larceny and second-degree larceny - placed back on the criminal docket.

Williams, who city records show was paid $92,332 in salary, benefits and overtime by the city last year, was granted accelerated rehabilitation on the charges in 2006. He was given two years to pay restitution of $12,850 and perform 200 hours of community service.

Accelerated rehabilitation is a special form of probation designed for first-time offenders facing less serious charges. If completed successfully, the charges against Williams would have been dismissed yesterday.

At his hearing yesterday, Williams could not produce any verification that restitution was made. The program was terminated, said Robert Hall, supervisory assistant state's attorney.

Judge Burton Kaplan warned Williams and his attorney, William Pelletreau, that if the matter was not resolved quickly he will find the first available jury in September to hear the case.

Pelletreau declined to comment.

Williams, who joined the fire department in 1986, was fired in 2005 after he refused to accept a settlement package and resign as a result of the criminal check and larceny charges.

Williams also was suspended without pay from the department in August 2004 for cashing a co-worker's paychecks while the person was away, city attorney Jeffry Spahr said in 2006. Williams reportedly made restitution and was not charged.

In December 2006, fire commissioners voted to reinstate Williams and he got his job back.

At the time, Fire Commission member and Mayor Richard Moccia said the department needed someone with Williams' experience and he deserved a second chance after 19 years.

Yesterday, Moccia seemed surprised to hear that the charges were reinstated.

"As of right now, I would prefer to check and see what the agreement was when we put him back on," Moccia said.

For Williams to be rehired, he had to undergo counseling and meet other criteria when he returns to the job, Moccia said at the time.

Michael Corsello, a criminal defense lawyer who was chairman of the Fire Commission when Williams was fired, said the new troubles did not surprise him.

Asked for comment, he said, "I think the action we took as a Fire Commission speaks for itself."