Published 12:05 a.m., Wednesday, May 25, 2011
BRIDGEPORT -- Deputy Police Chief James Honis, who has more than 30 years of service in the department, was placed on paid administrative leave late Tuesday afternoon pending an investigation into an allegation of a serious criminal nature, Police Chief Joseph Gaudett announced in a tersely worded release.
"In order to protect the integrity of the investigation, and the department, it is necessary to place Deputy Chief Honis on administrative leave," said Gaudett.
City officials would not comment on who was conducting the investigation or the allegation against Honis.
It's unclear whether Honis' suspension is related to an ongoing federal probe of how police dealt with drugs confiscated from the Gathering of the Vibes festival.
In 2009, a group of about a half-dozen police officers complained to the FBI about the way drugs were being confiscated, handled and disposed of during the annual three-day summer festival in Seaside Park.
FBI Special Agents Emil Parelli Jr. and Milan R. Kosanovich began questioning individuals about the whereabouts of tanks of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, that were being used to inflate balloons. Spectators who bought the balloons inhaled the drug as a way of getting high. Several groups, including one referred to as the Philadelphia Nitrous Mafia, were among those selling the balloons.
The agents began questioning individuals about Honis' role in the Vibes, where he served in a security capacity, as well as his involvement in towing contracts and with towing companies.
J. Robert Gulash, Honis' lawyer, said he was surprised by the city's action and unaware of what may have transpired.
"I'm attempting to gather more information," he said.
Honis is one of four Bridgeport deputy chiefs, a rank that puts him immediately below Gaudett in the department's hierarchy.
Deputy Chief Adam Radzimirski, who is in charge of investigative services, will assume Honis' duties during his absence.
Honis was promoted from the rank of captain to deputy chief in 2002. Honis, who is paid an annual salary of roughly $102,000, formerly commanded the East Side precinct.
His willingness to accept overtime assignments annually puts him at the top of the list of the city's highest earners. He has been a controversial figure within the department.
In 1986, Honis charged the department with violating his civil rights by conducting an Internal Affairs investigation of him without ever notifying him. Honis said he was told of the probe by convicted prostitutes and drug dealers. Female inmates incarcerated in the Niantic Correctional Institution were among the individuals that gave interviews.
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