Investigator Chosen For Ackley Claims Against Buscetto

Law Director Thomas Londregan has accepted the recommendation of a mediator and retired judge to look into the police chief’s accusations against a city councilor.

Londregan said in a report to the City Council on Monday that he accepted a council subcommittee’s choice of Beverly Hodgson as an investigator in the matter. Police Chief Margaret Ackley has including attempts to undermine her authority in the department.

Hodgson served as a superior court judge in Connecticut between 1987 and 2003, according to her website. She has worked as a self-employed arbitrator and mediator since her retirement from the bench.

The council accepted the report by a roll call vote. Londregan says in the report that the motion to hire the investigator was placed on the agenda “to preserve the investigator’s report under the doctrine of attorney-client privilege and when disclosed to you, it will be protected under the doctrine of attorney-client privilege.” He says the final selection must be made by the law director, and that Hodgson’s investigation could not be protected under attorney-client privilege if the council directly retains her.

The report also states that Londregan attempted to arrange three days of interviews between Oct. 11 and Oct. 13, but that some witnesses were unable to proceed. He said Hodgson will start interviews at the beginning of November and arrange additional ones as necessary.

Buscetto said Monday that he was concerned with the timeliness of the matter. Buscetto was for mayor by the Democratic Town Committee, but to attorney Daryl Finizio at a primary following the accusations. Buscetto has since for the office.

Buscetto said he was prepared for the earlier interviews, and asked what had occurred. Londregan said Ackley’s attorney, Shelley Graves, said one of the dates would not work and asked for the interviews to occur after Oct. 24. Londregan said the interviews are now set to begin on Nov. 1, one week before Election Day.

“I really need those facts known, that I was willing to comply, whereas my accuser was fully prepared but when the time came to hear witnesses was unable to come forward,” said Buscetto.