News and Updates
VGA Secures Dismissal of all Claims Against Fall River Public School Security Supervisor
May 10, 2026 | By AndyG | Uncategorized
In a Superior Court action, a security officer for the Fall River Public Schools brought a charge of discrimination to the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and, prior to any substantive developments before that agency, removed the matter to the Bristol County Superior Court. Named as defendants in the action were the City of Fall River…
VGA Prevails in Consequential Federal Civil Rights Action Alleging Constitutional Violations Following an Emergency Removal of Children From a Family Home
May 6, 2026 | By AndyG | Uncategorized
In July, 2022, an infant was seen at a hospital for respiratory issues. In the course of evaluating the infant, it was discovered that the child suffered from rib fractures that could have occurred some days or weeks earlier. Hospital staff alerted the Department of Children and Families (“DCF”), which began an investigation into potential…
Success in an Important Case of First Impression Dealing with a Law Enforcement Officer’s Ability to Use Force to Prevent the Destruction of Evidence
March 24, 2026 | By slocumstudio | Uncategorized
In a case of first impression in Massachusetts, Andy Gambaccini was successful in establishing important precedent concerning the ability of a law enforcement officer to use force in order to prevent the destruction of evidence. Deptula v. City of Worcester is a federal civil rights case in which narcotics officers with the Worcester Police Department…
The Civil Service Commission Issues a Precedent-Setting Decision Regarding Reinstatement to a Promotional List
March 24, 2026 | By slocumstudio | Uncategorized
Andy Gambaccini successfully represented a New Bedford police officer in a case of first impression that now has set the legal standard regarding the effect of an employee’s reinstatement as concerning an existing civil service promotional list. After a civil service promotional examination process in 2021, this New Bedford police officer was placed on an eligible…
Vindication for Fall River Chief of Police and Police Officer in Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit
March 9, 2026 | By slocumstudio | Dismissal, Police
Late one evening, members of the Fall River Police Department responded to a report that an armed individual was holding hostages in a residential building. Officers swept the building and found no such activity in what was at that point believed to be a swatting call. An individual, who was alone in his apartment in…
Victory at Summary Judgment for Chicopee Police Officers in Federal Civil Rights Action
March 9, 2026 | By slocumstudio | Uncategorized
In October, 2018, a motorcyclist was involved in a traffic accident and ended up injured in the median of a roadway. A Chicopee police officer came upon the scene and began to check on the well-being of the motorcyclist while calling for medical aid. The motorcyclist wanted no part of any interaction with the officer…
Breach of Contract Claim Against Dracut Police Supervisors Dismissed
March 9, 2026 | By slocumstudio | Uncategorized
In this Superior Court action, a retired Dracut police officer sued the Dracut Chief of Police and Deputy Chief of Police. The retired officer, who was the subject of an internal affairs investigation and negotiated disciplinary settlement while he was an active officer, claimed that the Chief and the Deputy breached the officer’s settlement agreement…
