News

By Dan Moffett
 
    Ocean Ridge Police Chief Hal Hutchins says he’s finishing up the last details of his investigation into the Richard Lucibella incident and expects to have a report ready soon.
    “I anticipate making a recommendation to the town manager upon finalization of my review of the report, and in accordance with the town’s ordinances, in the very near future,” Hutchins said.
    Hutchins’ task got easier when Lucibella resigned as vice mayor  and essentially removed himself from the picture. The pending criminal court case against him “will not have bearing” on the town’s probe of the incident, the chief said.
    The internal review now focuses mostly on the behavior of three police officers at Lucibella’s home that night, particularly off-duty supervisor Lt. Steven Wohlfiel. Officers responding to the scene described finding him “obviously intoxicated.” Arresting officers Richard Ermeri and Nubia Plesnik complained of injuries after scuffling with the vice mayor.
    Hutchins’ report is expected to make recommendations about what disciplinary action, if any, the town should take against Wohlfiel or the other officers. Hutchins reassigned Wohlfiel to office duty for the duration of the investigation.
    Once filed, the report goes to Town Manager Jamie Titcomb who, under the town’s charter, has the authority to discipline or terminate employees, with the approval of the Town Commission. Titcomb can accept or reject the investigation’s conclusions in proposing penalties to the commission during a public meeting.
    “Once the report is completed and the legislative procedural issues are addressed,” Hutchins said, “the report will become public record as would any other document. Until then it is confidential in accordance with [Florida statute].”