BOSTON --
Hamilton Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Parsons has been placed on paid administrative leave and a disciplinary hearing has been scheduled after questions were raised about the collection and distribution of money raised during a charity boot drive, according to Wicked Local Hamilton .
Team 5 Investigates discovered that Hamilton firefighters collected money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association's boot drive on Labor Day 2009. The money was turned over to Parsons, according to a police investigation. But it took months before the MDA saw any of the money that had been collected.
In December, the charity called the fire department to ask about the missing donations. Firefighters who heard about the call went to Hamilton's fire chief, Team 5 Investigates reported.
Chief Philip W. Stevens told Team 5 Investigates that he immediately ordered Parsons to turn over the money. The MDA office in Beverly confirmed it eventually received more than $2,300.
Parsons declined to be interviewed by Team 5 Investigates in February, saying, "you have to speak to the chief."
Hamilton Board of Selectmen met in executive session on Monday to discuss the internal affairs investigation into Parsons’ handling of money, the paper reported. Unless Parsons requests otherwise, the disciplinary hearing will be held in executive session.
Hamilton Board of Selectmen Chairman David Carey told the paper they will publicly report the outcome with as many details as they can.
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