Termination hearing set for Nahant firefighter accused of embezzling union money

NAHANT – A Civil Service termination hearing will be held next week for a Nahant firefighter who has been suspended without pay for months.Embattled firefighter Kevin Howard went on paid sick leave after allegations surfaced that he embezzled thousands of dollars from the International Association of FireFighters Local 2718.He was placed on unpaid leave as of Aug. 20.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 sick leave after the embezzlement allegations were made public.Nahant Town Administrator Mark Cullinan said the date of the hearing was confirmed Tuesday morning and Attorney Michael Marks of Lynn has agreed to serve as the hearing officer for the termination hearing, which will be held Oct. 26 at 1 p.m.”He (Marks) has been through this (Civil Service hearing) process before,” Cullinan said. “He is impartial and fair.”Cullinan said Civil Service rules allow the hearing to be open to the public at the request of the subject of the hearing.”If he (Howard) wants it open to the public, it will be an open hearing,” Cullinan said. “I have no problem with that.”Attempts to reach Attorney Richard B. Reiling of Nahant, who is the attorney of record for Howard, were unsuccessful Tuesday.Howard is also facing criminal charges in connection with the alleged embezzlement. He was arraigned in Lynn District Court earlier this month on charges of larceny over $250.The complaint alleges Howard 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.