Fall River Mayor Coogan’s Selective Investigations: Four Local Probes for Others, None for FRPD Questionable Search Warrant

Based on four major Mayor Paul Coogan investigations, two into the Fall River Police Department (FRPD) and two into the Department of Community Maintenance (DCM), his refusal to launch an investigation into the FRPD’s questionable search warrant raises concern. If you are unfamiliar with the FRPD questionable search warrant story, start here.

A summary of the four investigations

Since Mayor Coogan has been in office, the FRPD has had at least two major investigations after drugs were found in a police officer’s desk and a gun and bullet found in the desk of former FRPD Chief Paul Galvin. Both resulted in hiring independent investigators, exactly what the City Council is asking for regarding the FRPD questionable search warrant. DCM has had at least two investigations; one into allegations of hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars, reportedly stolen from the bulk furniture area of DCM and the other into the Director of DCM John Perry.

The bulk furniture investigation resulted in files being picked up by the FRPD who referred the issue to the Bristol county District Attorney’s office who declined to prosecute. John Perry was investigated and the case was never referred to the FRPD, instead the City of Fall River reportedly paid Perry “up to $65,000.” In a move that raised serious concerns, the City of Fall River used the courts to block public access to the John Perry report. It took 18 months and The Herald News won the legal battle, but it cost the Herald News over $100,000. After a settlement, the City of Fall River paid The Herald News $50,000.

Coogan skips his historic investigation playbook

It’s concerning that without reading most of the search warrant and affidavit, Mayor Coogan not only didn’t ask for an investigation, within hours of the news coming out, he pushed city councilors to renew Chief Furtado’s contract by two years (he would later renew it indefinitely). Coogan also went on to say that the City Council doesn’t have the authority to conduct an investigation and vetoed their resolution. In a press conference, Coogan stated that he sent a letter and texted AG Campbell to look into the matter, but she seemed too busy to look at the issue. In the press conference, Mayor Coogan and Corporation Councilor Alan Rumsey admitted that they read little or none of the search warrant and affidavit.

In these four cases, investigations started at the City-level. Three cases went to independent investigations (FRPD drugs in a desk, FRPD Chief Gauvin, and DCM Chief John Perry) and the fourth (DCM bulk furniture missing money) was referred to the Bristol County DA’s office. None were ever referred to the Massachusetts AG’s office.

If there is no crime for this FRPD search warrant issue, as stated by Coogan and his legal council, then why skip internal investigations, skip hiring an independent investigator and skip a referral to the Bristol County DA and go straight to the Massachusetts AG? Referrals to the Massachusetts AG is for serious crimes. Coogan also stated at the press conference that he texted AG Campbell, which shows the appearance of a friendship. Also, just a few weeks ago Coogan endorsed Governor Maura Healey and she has endorsed him in the past.

Mayor Coogan has yet to explain why he skipped his own historical precedence of keeping investigations local, instead opting to go directly to the Massachusetts AG with a search warrant case after claiming the FRPD did nothing wrong. Also, the FRPD decided against a criminal referral once the search warrant was executed. In their own press release, the FRPD claimed criminal harassment.

A four part series

To show that in these past four investigations that Mayor Paul Coogan at least does some internal investigation and didn’t refer any of them to the Massachusetts AG, I will cover each case in full detail in separate articles.

Up next, we’ll examine the investigation of former Chief Paul Gauvin. Stay tuned.