Former Lee Police Chief Ronald Glidden, who retired in 2011, is now in charge of the Lee police department
LEE – The embattled Lee Police Chief Joseph Buffis was suspended without pay on Friday in the wake of yesterday’s explosive federal indictment accusing him of extorting money from the owner’s of a local inn allegedly engaging in prostitution.
Former Police Chief Ronald Glidden, who retired in 2011 is now in charge of the Lee police department.
“I have appointed former Chief Ronald Glidden to serve temporarily as the Town of Lee police chief,” Lee Town Administrator Robert Nason said in a statement Friday morning.
Nason suspended Buffis and has scheduled a public hearing for August 20 -- when selectmen will decide “if he will be suspended with or without pay and benefits until the criminal charges brought against him are adjudicated.”
Nason took the action against Buffis “in response to his indictment by a federal Grand Jury on August 8.”
The U.S. Attorney charged Buffis, 55, with crimes including extortion and money laundering. Buffis has been on the police force more than 30 years and was promoted to chief in 2011 to replace Glidden, after serving as sergeant many years. Buffis is facing up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
A nearly year-long joint FBI and Massachusetts State Police investigation resulted in Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Breslow filing four criminal charges against Buffis. He filed them at federal district court in Springfield Thursday. Buffis allegedly extorted $4,000 from two people facing prostitution-related charges, the indictment states.
"It is alleged that in February 2012 Buffis, 55, of Pittsfield, acting in his official capacity as Lee Police Chief, extorted a $4,000 'donation' from two individuals who were facing prostitution-related charges. The 'donation' was made payable to the Edward J. Laliberte Toy Fund, a holiday toy fund that Buffis controlled. Buffis deposited the $4,000 check into the Toy Fund's bank account and quickly withdrew $3,990 which he then deposited into a joint bank account that he operated with his wife,” the US Attorney’s office said on Thursday. “Buffis is alleged to have lied to law enforcement about the disposition of the funds."
Buffis has not returned telephone messages left on his cell phone seeking comment. His lawyer, Lori Levinson, with an office in Great Barringtion, says Buffis "has done absolutely nothing wrong" and said he "will be cleared of any wrongdoing.”
According to Berkshire District Attorney David Capeless, the FBI led the investigation after a request from his office to do so. Capeless said the action was taken to maintain good relations with the Lee police department while Chief Buffis was being prosecuted.
A court date has not yet been set.
Lee Police Chief Joseph Buffis Suspended