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October 20, 2006

Judge temporarily bars firing of 3 correctional officers

PROVIDENCE -- A superior court judge has issued a temporary restraining order barring state prison officials from firing three correctional officers accused of forcing an inmate to eat his own feces on Valentine’s Day.

The officers were scheduled to lose pay and benefits beginning tomorrow after receiving letters of termination last week.

Their union appealed the decision to federal court, which agreed to block the move temporarily, pending a full hearing scheduled for Oct. 30.

R.I. Superior Court Judge Stephen J. Fortunato Jr. said that the officers didn’t receive a fair termination hearing because they weren’t allowed to present witnesses on their behalf.

Capt. Gualter Botas, Lt. Kenneth J. Viveiros and Officer Ernesto Spaziano were arrested in May for assaulting five inmates at the Adult Correctional Institutions. The criminal charges are still pending.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Tom Mooney

Posted by Sheila Lennon  at 4:25 PM | Permalink

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