Fairhaven Cop, Fired for Being Drunk on Duty, Sues Town for Discrimination
FAIRHAVEN - A former police officer for the Town of Fairhaven is suing the Town for wrongful termination and other allegations.
24-year-old Jonathan Alves filed suit in Federal District Court in Boston last week, according to a release from his attorney, Phillip Beauregard.
The morning after St. Patrick's Day in March of 2016, Alves reported for duty as an officer and confided in a supervisor that he needed help for an alcohol addiction and became emotional.
Word of Alves' admission reached Town officials, who told Alves he was a "long term liability" to the Town and demanded his resignation. Alves refused to do so, and on April 1 he received a termination letter from the Town and Chief Michael Myers, alleging Alves was drunk on the job on the morning of March 18. Alves denies he was still intoxicated from the night before.
The lawsuit says the Town discriminated against Alves for an alcohol related disability. Attorney Beauregard says Alves is suing for civil rights violations, wrongful termination, and slander.
The lawsuit is being heard by U.S. District Court Judge Mark Wolfe. Attorney Beauregard tells WBSM News he expects the litigation to be complete within 18 months.