MARBLEHEAD — After receiving two additional extensions to their original deadline, the attorneys involved in the case of Marblehead Police officer Christopher Gallo will submit their final briefs next week.
Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer presided over the hearing and originally informed Gallo’s Attorney Gary Nolan and Town Counsel Jane Friedman that they would have until June 30 to file hearing briefs.
According to Kezer, both Nolan and Friedman asked for extensions, delaying the disciplinary-hearing decision until July 31. He then granted an additional and final extension, which will end on Friday, Sept. 8. In an interview, Kezer stated that the extensions were given due to issues with the recordings from the hearing, and that briefs will be due with or without transcripts.
“The issue is transcripts, the audio recordings that were done and trying to get transcripts made out of it and their challenges with converting audio. That was the main reason for the request,” Kezer said.
Gallo, who has spent more than two years on administrative leave, finally had his long-awaited disciplinary hearing in March on allegations of committing time fraud and one involving a domestic disturbance incident. The hearing took place over two days, beginning on March 29 and spanning the course of nearly two months after resuming and concluding on May 16.
According to records received from the Police Department, the department has paid out more than $170,000 to Gallo since he was placed on paid administrative leave.
The total department gross for Gallo’s salary from June 16, 2021, to Aug. 19, 2023 was $171,127.49 with department hours totaling 5,049.
Once the briefs are submitted, Kezer will issue a recommendation of discipline to the Select Board based on the hearing and the briefs within 30 days. Once he presents his recommendation to the board, they will decide in a vote whether or not to follow it.
The timeline of Gallo’s case has spanned the course of three town administrations, with Kezer coming to town in June of last year amidst the already ongoing case. When asked about his thoughts regarding the more than two-year length of the case and the money that has been paid out, Kezer said he could only comment on the time that he has been in town. He also said in regard to the extensions that he wanted to give both sides an equal and fair opportunity to plead their cases.
“My intent in allowing some extensions is to ensure the fairest process, that both sides have more than adequate time to present their cases,” Kezer said.
