Sparks fly at Lynn FD

LYNN – Lynn Fire Chief James Carritte is conducting an internal investigation of the department stemming from charges he describes as serious.The results of that probe are expected in two weeks and likely will be followed by an administrative hearing, Carritte said Tuesday.The chief would not elaborate on the nature of the investigation, nor would he comment on the status of Fire Lt. Matthew Reddy or acknowledge that the firefighter is linked to the probe.Reddy, president of Lynn Local 739 of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), has not worked the past four or more shifts to which he is usually assigned. Instead, another lieutenant has been scheduled to fill those shifts.Carritte said no member of the 200-man department is currently suspended from duty on a paid basis or otherwise. “Even if that were the case, I’m not going to comment on any individual,” he said.Carritte confirmed that a Lynn firefighter has been placed on paid administrative leave. However, he declined to identify the firefighter.As for the ongoing probe, city officials were mum on its focus, but The Item has learned it involves allegations of threats, harassment and attempts at intimidation.”The department is conducting an internal investigation concerning very serious charges, but I can’t comment on those charges until the investigation is complete,” Carritte said. “People are being interviewed across the department. I anticipate the investigation will be over in two weeks. At that time, we will conduct an administrative hearing.”A firefighter who asked to remain anonymous told The Item that Reddy received a letter from the city while vacationing on Cape Cod, informing him he has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.A copy of the July 8 letter from Carritte to Reddy, which was obtained by The Item, states in part, “The Fire Department has filed serious charges against you. Included in these charges is a charge that you have threatened, harassed and attempted to intimidate an employee of this department. Given the grievous nature of these charges and the fact that they are similar to charges filed against you in 2007, you are hereby placed on administrative leave with pay.”Reddy’s leave was effective July 9.The letter stated that Reddy is prohibited from entering any Lynn fire station or any Fire Department property while on administrative leave unless it is while responding to an emergency. “Should you need to retrieve personal items currently stored on Lynn Fire Department property, you should contact this office to schedule a supervised visit,” the chief wrote.According to the letter, the allegations against Reddy are under investigation. In the letter, the chief ordered Reddy to keep away from Lt. Thomas Bogart, the department’s training officer.”You may not take, or conspire with others to take, any action that could be construed as retaliatory against Lt. Bogart or any other members of the Lynn Fire Department,” Carritte wrote.Attempts to reach Reddy for comment were unsuccessful.