A former Amersbury Fire Lieutenant was arraigned in Salem Superior Court Friday after authorities say he stole approximately $30,000 in an overtime abuse scandal.
The Essex District Attorney’s Office said Scott Cloutier, a former Amesbury firefighter with more than 22 years of service, pleaded not guilty to charges of larceny and false claim to a government agency. He is accused of claiming overtime for shifts he did not work between January 2016 and May 2018.
Amesbury officials said the fire department was informed of overtime abuses by two fire lieutenants in May. Both were accused of putting in for payment for shifts they did not work.
The town’s police department began an investigation that resulted in the indictment of Cloutier last month.
Cloutier had been on administrative leave since May and was fired Thursday, The Daily News of Newburyport reported.
A second firefighter, who has not been identified, was also placed on leave in May because of the same type of alleged overtime abuse. That investigation remains ongoing.
“The abuse of overtime represents a betrayal of trust and a theft of taxpayer money, and I am very disappointed in the alleged actions of two of the senior members of the fire department,” Fire Chief Kenneth Berkenbush said. “These incidents appear to be isolated, and the members of the Amesbury Fire Department have no tolerance for this activity.”
A third employee was also placed on leave in May, but the investigation cleared him of criminal wrongdoing and he has returned to work.
Amesbury officials said the situation has led to changes in the supervision and keeping of overtime records, overtime policies and practices. The town is in the process of bringing in an independent consultant to conduct an administrative review of the facts and circumstances and to make further recommendations.
Cloutier was released on personal recognizance after his arraignment and is due back in court on March 12.
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