Old Saybrook Fire Marshal Resigns, Investigation Suspended

The criminal investigation of Old Saybrook fire marshal Donn Dobson has been suspended and he has resigned from his duties in Saybrook and Westbrook, according to police.

Police said Dobson was the sole subject of a criminal investigation concerning issues of time sheets submitted to various municipalities.

Dobson maintains no criminal conduct occurred, but regrets “administrative errors that lead to minor time keeping mistakes,” a statement from Dobson’s attorney says.

In May, police executed two search and seizure warrants for the Old Saybrook Town Hall and Westbrook Town Hall and officers looked for all documents, pay roll records, employee expectations, email communication, among other items related to Dobson, according to a page of the search warrant for the Old Saybrook Town Hall.

Dobson worked full-time in Old Saybrook and part-time as a fire marshal in Westbrook.

Police said Dobson and the Middlesex County State's Attorney's Office reached an agreement, which includes Dobson's voluntary resignation of employment with the towns of Old Saybrook and Westbrook, restitution, and his preclusion of working as a fire marshal in Middlesex County.

“Effective June 16th, 2017, Donn Dobson has agreed to voluntarily resign from his positions as Fire Marshal for the Towns of Old Saybrook and Westbrook. This decision comes after multiple conversations with the Middlesex County State’s Attorney Office. Despite his voluntary resignation, Mr. Dobson maintains no criminal conduct occurred, however, he regrets administrative errors that lead to minor time keeping mistakes. Mr. Dobson cooperated and complied with the investigation at all times and has reached an agreement with the Middlesex County State’s Attorney Office in order to amicably resolve this matter with the municipalities,” a statement from a Dobson’s attorney says.

“Mr. Dobson wishes to thank the many professionals he has had the pleasure of working with in his eighteen plus years serving as the Fire Marshal for the Towns of Old Saybrook and Westbrook,” the statement says.

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