CENTRAL FALLS -- The mayor of Central Falls authorized two police officers to search the Central Falls Public Library's computers without a warrant yesterday morning to look for a political speech someone may have written for the previous mayor.
Police Chief Thomas Wilson who sued the mayor in December to keep his job, did not know his officers were searching the library until about 11:30 a.m. when library director Thomas J. Shannahan called him while the officers were in the library to ask the chief why they were there.
Last week, Shannahan told the City Council he is quitting at the end of the month after 14 years of service. He said is leaving because he did not like the turn the new administration is taking.
"I think the mayor is trying to discredit me with this search," he said.
The police and a computer expert searched 25 computers in the library and left, Shannahan said. They returned at about 12:40 p.m. and closed the library until 2:30 p.m., he said. The library is owned by a private trust, Shannahan said.
"This is very sad. You work hard. You try to do the best you can to provide a safe environment for the kids. When we were short of staff I would work second shift so the library would maintain. This is the first time the library has been closed," Shannahan said.
Central Falls Mayor Charles Moreau refused to comment on his actions, referring all questions to Capt. Clay Choquette. He did say that the investigation was based on an anonymous tip.
Wilson said that Assistant Attorney General Patrick Youngs told him and Choquette that the information the mayor was attempting to find is not criminal in nature.
Asked if the investigation would continue, Wilson said he did not know. "[The mayor] is ordering an investigation. If the AG says no there is no criminal complaint, where do we go with this?" Wilson said.
Wilson and the mayor have been at odds since Moreau told reporters he planned to fire the chief, who was chosen by the previous mayor, Lee Matthews, in favor of a police officer who is a city resident. Wilson sued the chief in federal court to keep his job. Last month, the mayor suspended the chief for two days saying he violated a vacation ordinance. Wilson will serve his suspension today and tomorrow.
"We are now contending that not only is the mayor harassing the chief by suspending him and doing a series of other things, he is also attempting to usurp control of the Police Department for political purposes," said Leon Blais, Wilson's lawyer.
"This happening today proved it. We have a situation where the mayor irresponsibly, without informing the chief, ordered the police to conduct a raid for nonexistent crime in a private building without a warrant. Even if it was true that computers had "Matthews for mayor" on them, that is not a crime," Blais said.
City Council President Robert Weber was not aware of the library search and said he did not want to comment without knowing all the facts.
Weber said the city and Shanahan were at odds on how funds are handled at the library. The previous mayor allowed the libary to subcontract work without bidding, Weber said. When Moreau came on board it was pointed out to him that this wasn't proper procedure. The administration is trying to correct the situation, Weber said.
"Tom was able to use Champlin Foundations funds the way he saw fit. He was not putting the work out to bid. He was paying a man's salary per week. The job was not necessarily contracted. I'm not even sure who's right and whose wrong. I was surprised when [Shannahan] announced he would leave. Tom worked for the city for many years. As far as I know, he's a very good guy."
Shannahan said that the man who worked as a jack-of-all trades at the library is a Matthews supporter and that Moreau wanted him out. He said the man's salary was paid for by a grant which falls under different guidelines than taxpayer money. After the mayor withheld the man's pay, the man left the job, Shannahan said.
City Councilman Ricardo Patino said he did not learn of the library search until notified by a reporter.
"I don't care if the mayor does not inform me about what he is doing but he should inform the police chief," Patino said.
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