Unpaid leave for Nahant firefighter

NAHANT – Embattled firefighter Kevin Howard has been placed on unpaid leave.Nahant Town Administrator Mark Cullinan said Howard was moved from paid sick leave, which he has been on since April, to unpaid leave as of Aug. 20.”He is on unpaid leave pending a (Civil Service) termination hearing,” Cullinan said. “A hearing has not been scheduled yet.”Cullinan declined to comment further on why Howard was put on unpaid leave at this time.Howard went on paid sick leave after allegations surfaced that he embezzled thousands of dollars from the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2718. Earlier this month, Howard stated publicly he had purchased and used cocaine at the fire station.Howard, who has been a firefighter for 11 years, was president of Local 2718 until he was appointed acting chief March 1.He served as acting chief until April 29 when he went on paid sick leave after the embezzlement allegations were made public.Earlier this month, the union lodged a request for a criminal complaint against Howard in Lynn District Court.The request alleged he made numerous purchases for his personal use at Home Depot, Shaw’s and Walmart, using union accounts. It also alleged that during various ATM transactions he made approximately $7,600 in cash withdrawals from union accounts.Finally, the complaint alleged Howard submitted receipts to the town for his personal purchases and then kept the reimbursements he received from the town.Last week, Lynn District Court Assistant Clerk Magistrate Daniel Day determined there was probable cause to issue the criminal complaint.