Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Pillaged Braintree evidence room: Massachusetts; Bulletin: 5 Investigates reports that Braintree's Deputy Police Chief Wayne Foster has been placed on administrative leave over the evidence scandal; (Police chief set to retire Oct. 7)..."David Hinds, the lawyer representing Deputy Chief Foster told 5 Investigates, “The mayor is as culpable as the chief (Russell Jenkins) for not properly supervising the officer in charge of the evidence room.” He said it was actually Foster who went to the chief to say the evidence officer should be removed. Hinds called the town’s action “totally inappropriate.” (September 26);



"Braintree’s deputy police chief has been placed on administrative leave in the wake of the evidence room scandal at the department. Sources tell 5 Investigates that Deputy Chief Wayne Foster was put on paid administrative leave effective Monday.  5 Investigates reported last week that, according to sources, members of the Braintree Police Department had suggested there were problems with the evidence and that the officer in charge, Susan Zopatti, was disoriented at work and needed help. Zopatti joined the Braintree Police Department in 1995 and worked patrol until becoming the evidence officer in 2013.  A recent audit of the department concentrated on the years Zopatti was in charge of the evidence room and discovered the missing money, firearms and seized drugs. That tainted and missing evidence has already led to criminal charges being dropped in 41 Braintree cases.........David Hinds, the lawyer representing Deputy Chief Foster told 5 Investigates, “The mayor is as culpable as the chief (Russell Jenkins) for not properly supervising the officer in charge of the evidence room.” He said it was actually Foster who went to the chief to say the evidence officer should be removed. Hinds called the town’s action “totally inappropriate.” Officer Zopatti took her own life within a week of meeting with the auditor in May.........The attorney general is investigating and sources tell us more changes within the department may be on the way.""

http://www.wcvb.com/news/5-investigates-braintree-deputy-police-chief-placed-on-leave-over-evidence-scandal/41838736