Two years ago Deputy Chief Jimmy Honis, a member of the police department for more than 40 years, was placed on administrative leave with pay pending a criminal investigation of a cold case involving the death of a prostitute decades ago. Now $250,000 later–the amount the city has paid out in salary and benefits without the benefit of Honis working–the deputy chief’s return to work is “imminent” according to Police Chief Joe Gaudett.
Police officers under investigation are placed on administrative leave with pay as required by the Police Union contract. No formal charges have been brought against Honis in connection with his department leave. Gaudett told OIB Monday night he expects to contact Honis within the next day to direct him back to work.
The financial impact of Honis’ departure for two years is much higher than what he was paid directly during his leave. Deputy Chief Adam Radzimirski, who is in charge of Investigative Services, assumed responsibilities for Uniformed Services in Honis’ absence overseeing patrol. Radzimirski was paid $155,155 in 2012, according to the list of top municipal wage earners. The base pay for a deputy chief is $108,000.
As news has spread about Honis’ return to work, a number of city police officers have declared him “Teflon Hon.” Nothing has stuck yet.
Honis, an accomplished undercover cop who through the decades grew through the civil services ranks to become deputy chief, has been the subject of a federal law enforcement investigation reviewing a cold case involving the disappearance of a prostitute that goes back some 35 years.
If the feds or local police think this case is going anywhere they’re not saying, but the fact Honis is expected to report to work shortly would indicate they think the case may not have legs. Honis has not been charged with any crime. Defense attorney John Gulash represents Honis on the federal review. Honis is also represented by a union lawyer regarding his administrative leave. It is likely the Bridgeport Police Union that represents Honis will file a grievance on Honis’ behalf seeking losses from the past two years involving vacation, holiday, personal days and overtime.
In May of 2011 Police Chief Joe Gaudett released this statement.
Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr. announced today that Bridgeport Police Deputy Chief James Honis has been placed on administrative leave with pay, effective immediately, while an investigation is conducted into an allegation of a serious criminal nature made against him.
“In order to protect the integrity of the investigation, and the Department, it is necessary to place Deputy Chief Honis on administrative leave,” said Gaudett.
Police officers under investigation are placed on administrative leave with pay as required by the Police Union contract.
In his absence, Deputy Chief Adam Radzimirski, who is in charge of Investigative Services, also will assume responsibilities for Uniformed Services.
There will be no further comment on the pending investigation.
Only In Bridgeport.
Are we talking Walmart dumb? Two years? OIB!
I’ve heard Chief Gaudett is the Chair for the Champions on Parade for the Barnum Festival. Does this mean he is … Barney Fife and Drum?
This would be one of the things in the police union contract that needs to disappear immediately. He will retire at more than most working rookies will make for their first 5 years. One thing is certain. This is the BULLSHIT that made Wisconsin vote against unions. MOST likely it will start happening all over the country. Imagine, Bridgeport retirees who cannot afford their homes are paying for these people. Glad his vacation did not affect his retirement income. One thing is certain. New police and firemen in the City will never receive the same retirement as their predecessors. Residents in the City will just not be able to foot the bill. Maybe Mary Moran had the right idea 20 years ago. The bankruptcy bid would have leveled the playing field. Ganim screwed the City and we have been having tax increases ever since. Imagine, Moran told Weicker a tax increase would be the final nail in Bridgeport’s coffin. Well she was certainly wrong on one front, obviously we are surviving. Barely after numerous increases.
Steve, your statement about Honis making more in retirement than a working rookie patrolmen is true. The one thing you need to understand is Honis stopped accumulating pension benefits when he had 30 years on the job. He will recieve 75% of his salary when he retires. This does not include OT which is not counted towards a pension.
Let me state here I DO NOT SUPPORT HONIS.
I don’t understand why people stay when they are actually working for 1/4 of their salary, it could be ego or it could be the OT.
Andy, Thank you for the clarification. I do not begrudge benefits just for the record. Just how certain unions take advantage.
Steven Auerbach, you are totally wrong when you said, “This is the BULLSHIT that made Wisconsin vote against unions. MOST likely it will start happening all over the country. Imagine, Bridgeport retirees who cannot afford their homes are paying for these people.” Deputy Chief Jimmy Honis, a member of the police department for more than 40 years, was placed on administrative leave with pay. Well Steve, what did he do wrong? He worked his way up to Deputy Chief and serve the City for 40 years. The union contract had nothing to do with his being placed on administrative leave. He would have won all of his pay at the State Labor Board because the City could not make its case against him. The blame goes to Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr.
I don’t know Jimmy Honis but the City just cannot TAKE an employee’s pay from him without a good reason and Steve I’m sure you wouldn’t want that happen to you or a family member.
Ron Mackey, I do know in the real world people get fired for doing far less. People making minimum wage lose their job for calling out when they cannot find daycare. A number of write-ups for bad behavior and you are out the door. I think in the end when it comes to taxpayers, they eventually are tired of the Unions. I suppose at one time they served a purpose. They do not anymore and have not for some time. The teachers Union supported Obama yet after speaking to many they voted for Romney–isn’t that strange? They also supported Foster and Caruso–so much for the power they yield other than their own personal gains. Mackey, I think Unions will start fading away and btw I have the utmost respect for most of Bridgeport’s Police and Fire dept. and have always sung their praises. The world is changing on many fronts. The unions are one of them.
You have to be kidding me.
No I am not!
yahooy … be a man or a woman … reveal yourself. Your tiresome comments that are purely personal are sad. If you have something to say, be a man. Identify yourself, altar boy!
A lot of people seem to think you are a jerk.
Oh, okay. Thanks for telling me that. I accept that, yahooy. You on the other hand people view as an articulate, intelligent, respectful and thoughtful individual. Most OIB READERS ASPIRE to your level of intellectual superiority. I do want to thank you for revealing to me most people think I am a jerk. I cannot begin to tell you how much this concerns me but I will try. … Lol not at all. In your mind you and Chosen 1 are the voice of reason. In the real world, you are not. Unlike you, I respect your right to make a comment and if it is an assault on me that’s fine.
OK. OK. Dial back the Pollyanna horseshit and your opinion shall be restored to its former level of respect.
Lol.
How much will this Honis case cost taxpayers?
Honis is owed $250,000. How much in outside attorney fees?
*** This city has many stories like this, what you’ve just read is one of them! *** ZOMBIELAND CHRONICLE ***
A picture is worth a thousand words, in this case more. Just, wow!
Unions stink.
And what do you smell like? Blech!