Trial for embattled Nahant firefighter delayed until fall

NAHANT – The commonwealth has been granted a request to delay the trial of Nahant firefighter Kevin Howard until Sept. 27, citing the case’s complexity as requiring “additional time to prepare,” according to documents filed Thursday in Lynn District Court.”This case is extremely complex, with voluminous discovery and a large number of witnesses,” read a Motion to Advance and Continue submitted by Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett and dated June 15. “As such, the commonwealth needs additional time to prepare for trial.”The charges against Howard stem from a request for a criminal complaint Nahant Fire Fighters Local #2718 filed against him in Lynn District Court last August. The Item reported that the complaint alleges Howard, an 11-year veteran of the department, 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. Nahant Town Administrator Mark Cullinan told the Item in September that Howard had been placed on unpaid leave as of Aug. 20, 2010.Howard pleaded innocent in his Sept. 30 arraignment to charges that he stole property with a value of more than $250, and he was released on personal recognizance by Judge Ellen Flatley, according to court records and as reported in the Item. Flatley also approved the continuance, according to the Court Clerk’s office.Howard said Monday evening that he couldn’t comment on the postponement, having only been informed that he would not need to be in court as scheduled. He referred further questions to his attorney, Richard Reiling, who did not respond to requests for comment.