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There has been a contentious relationship between firefighters and the Mayor of North Providence, Rhode Island, Charles Lombardi, for some time. Lombardi is himself a former firefighter. Yesterday WPRI-TV investigative reporter Tim White aired a 14-mont-old recording of Mayor Lombardi confronting Firefighter Thomas Guibealt because Lombardi says the firefighter insulted a member of the mayor’s family while off-duty in a bar. At the time Mayor Lombardi was dealing with a battle with the firefighters’ union over the closing of a fire station.
The recording was made last Spring at fire department headquarters at a meeting the mayor called that also included Chief Leonard Albanese and a battalion chief. The mayor told reporter White he was not aware someone was recording him but believes he acted appropriately:
On the recording Lombardi is heard screaming at the firefighter, who he identified as Thomas Guibealt.
“Don’t let my name roll out of your mouth,” Lombardi says on the tape. “[Because] the next time that happens you’re going to have a serious headache.”
Above is the full recording of the confrontation.
The mayor said he learned from a third party that an employee who works at his son’s auto body shop was told he was not welcome at a North Providence bar because “he works for the Lombardi’s.”
Contacted by phone, Guibealt did not want to comment if he was the one recording the conversation and directed all questions to a union lawyer.
Also on STATter911 …
- Baltimore union confirms two firefighters behind toilet based artwork of mayor & fire chief. Dispute within IAFF local over handling of the incident. – August 7, 2012
- Quick Takes: September 10, 2012. – September 10, 2012
- Memphis Fire Department lieutenant shares audio recording he says proves deputy chief assaulted him. Claims cover-up. – April 3, 2012
- VFD duty crew removes shingles from roof of Pine Hill, New Jersey mayor’s home. Investigation says it was all kosher. Citizens say otherwise. – May 8, 2012
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Sounds like the mayor played his cards right you want to talk smack say it to that persons face not at a bar all whacked out.
Pretty poor example of a “former firefighter”. This kind of situation is why we have unions; to protect employees from bosses like this. The reporter is right on the money and we all know it.
Yup. Whats wrong with this guy? I hope his local is all over that.
Talking off-duty, posting off duty, using Facebook off-duty. Too many potential problems here.
Time to change the rules. No going off duty.
Show me, “WAX ON”
Oh please people talk about people all the time – the mayor is just using his power to belittle a Great firefighter – sorry Mayor now everyone is talking about your Name -
A secret recording could lead to a civil issue.
This is not legal advice, because I am not a lawyer but I believe you will find that Rhode Island is a one party consent state and there is some relevant case law. It is certainly a topic I would ask Curt Varone at FireLawBlog.com who would know the specifics in Rhode Island without having to do any research.
I’ve never heard of this clown, Lombardi. But now I do know all I need to know about him. An obvious blowharded bully!To use his position as he did is completely unethical.I hope the voters see this
Aaaaaaaaaa OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO see these yuts got to learn from us old school firefighters, ya don’t go running your mouf off in da bar, right freddy two tone?? Un beleavable
The people in the wrong are the two Officers in the meeting that allowed this to happen. Step up a$$holes and protect your men! The mayor may have BEEN a brother but now he’s a MUTT. FTM, PTB.
So let me get this straight the firefighter gets drunk talks about the mayors family and the mayor a former firefighter is the MUTT? Think you have it backwards your telling me one of your brothers talks smack about your family and your just going to let him wax your car come on now….
What an ass**le!
And this clown runs the city?
Time for a recall, if he treats city staff this poorly, what else is he up to?
Sounds like the firefighter has an EEO complainant and a grievance to file with the union.
What an a-hole.
Just who I’d want running my town.
This is only one example of many things that this crack pot mayor has done to the fire dept. I am from RI and have seen all his stunts. The union has their legal staff handling everything as well as our state association. Just search the mayors name and I am sure you will find some more of his antics. As far as the recording RI does have the 1 party consent.
LOL
The mayor sounds just like some of the those who post here if someone
make any statements that are less than INFATUATED with the NYFD.!!!
Whoa… here’s a thought … as the mayor NYFD .???
Maybe the mayor is an an ass and not a friend of firefighters. But if this guy was really in the bar running his mouth to members of his family that is a pretty low. Do we really endorse this stuff. Leave the guys family alone be the better man. Only thing I agree with is the 2 chiefs in the room should have keep the conversation civil or even could have conveyed the Mayors message that the family was out of bounds.
Better watch what you say Shocked, there just might be a can of max in your future too.
This is a cut and dry case of intimidation. The union should have been all over this 14 months ago. Like filing a complaint/grievance, then filing a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board. But since the majority of IAFF locals are no more than stickers on cars and helmets, Im not surprised that 14 months has passed and nothing has happened.
the firefighter side of me would had said if it was me, is this offical? because if it is i want this in writing (and i would have fallen off the truck while waxing it just as the mayor arrived to check on me
the macho side of me says, fuckin bully, take the wax and shove it…the thing to do with he tape was to wait for election time then….
FTM-PTB
Dave, I read your commentary on this and you are spot on in your evaluation. We don’t know exactly what the Firefighter said or how it was said, but he was off duty, and there is this free speech thing that I think we still have in this country. I really don’t understand the people who have sided with the Mayor on this. He is obviously abusive towards his employees and gives elected officials a bad name. I also don’t understand the Chief and Battalion Chief just sitting there and letting this type of demeanor occur. If this is the norm, it makes me glad I don’t live or work in North Providence.
That’s not the man I would want to see running my city or anything I had something to do with. You put yourself out in the public arena, expect to take you lumps and not get your drawers in a bunch because someone spoke ill of you or your family. I am as astounded as you are that anyone would defend a bully like that who apparently has the emotional development of a child. I don’t need to know the politics behind this to figure out the character of Charles Lombardi. The audio recording and his response to the reporter tell me all I need to know.
Statter
I come away with the opinion that, if the mayor is representative of the Lombardi family of N. Providence, the family is a bunch of low-life thugs who should be deported to Sicily or somewhere, other than the U.S.A., where such behavior is acceptable.
Hey, D-BAG Lombardi…..I hope you read this…..come on down south, bring your can of wax……I have something for you to take care of!!!! You wouldn’t scare any of us…..TOOL BAG!
Shameful. This town is so corrupt and politics and town connections have destroyed No. Prov. Sadly, it is same old, same old. I’m ready to move out, regret ever buying a house here.
wow.. now EVERYBODY is talking about this Lombardi clown. ay oh, ay! what an embarrassment! “I’m the public safety director” .. yea, with what credentials? I hope everyone that’s heard this nonsense from this loud mouth a**munch will do the right thing and vote for ANYONE but this joker.
Simple power hungry maniac. I feel bad for the workers under his ‘leadership’ [sic].