Deputy police chief fired amid scandal

Middletown, Conn. (WTNH) - A high ranking police official in Middletown was fired amid accusations of drinking while wearing his badge and gun.

Patrick McMahon presented a 15-page document to the mayor Thursday morning during a closed door hearing at the mayor's office, hoping it would save his job. [Read McMahon's letter here]

McMahon says the fact he was told to bring in all his department issued gear, including his gun, badge, and vehicle, meant the mayor had already made up his mind. McMahon called the Loudermill hearing designed to allow him to tell his side of the story "...nothing more than a 'kangaroo court'.

"The mayor sat there, said nothing, waited less than three seconds, and said that a termination letter would be sent out," said McMahon's attorney, Leon Rosenblatt.

McMahon, a deputy chief who was the one time acting chief, is accused of drinking while wearing his badge and gun at five different restaurants, including The Cantina, and not being truthful when asked about it.

He said he was not being untruthful when he answered that he "...did not recall consuming alcohol at a specific event."

"I didn't hear anything today that I felt was exculpatory or mitigating in any way," said Mayor Daniel Drew. "I didn't hear any reasonable explanation of what has happened. I didn't hear any responsibility for what had happened and I don't think that Deputy Chief McMahon is capable of being a leader in the Middletown police department."

Mayor Drew fired McMahon who had been on paid leave since October 17 effective immediately.

"I will not be cowed from doing the right thing by a threat of litigation," Mayor Drew said.

"This is reviewable by the council and then either by the American Arbitration Association or by Superior Court," said Rosenblatt.

McMahon's termination letter may be in the mail, but apparently that will not be the last of the correspondence he'll be having with the mayor's office.