The town/village of Harrison has remained unforthcoming in light of launching an internal investigation into police Chief Anthony Marraccini, who is currently suspended with pay, according to the mayor.
Mayor Ron Belmont, a Republican, acknowledged the indefinite suspension but said he would not comment about what had prompted the decision for the disciplinary action until the investigation, which currently has no timeline, is complete.
On Sept. 15, the Harrison Town Council assembled for a closed-door executive meeting, and on the following day, Marraccini was suspended pending an internal investigation. The immediate suspension did not require a vote by the board because it was a paid suspension.
Last month, the police chief turned over business records for Coastal Construction Associates that were requested as part of an ongoing federal investigation. While the suspension does not seem to be connected to the federal investigation concerning his construction business, it is unclear what Marraccini has been suspended for. Marraccini was not initially suspended when town council members learned of the federal investigation into his construction company.
The police chief has been a licensed home improvement contractor in Westchester County since starting a company called Coastal Construction Development in 1993. In 2005, Marraccini registered the construction company to New York state as Coastal Construction Associates.
Marraccini has spent $3 million over the past eight years, according to Westchester County land records, to purchase four properties in the city of Rye. In February, he purchased his most recent home at Wards Park East in Rye, located near the Long Island Sound, for $860,000. Five months after the purchase, Marraccini sold the home for $1.2 million.
A week after Marraccini’s suspension, the Town Council again gathered on Sept. 22 behind closed doors to discuss a “personnel matter,” but formal charges and a disciplinary hearing have not yet been scheduled.
Police Lt. Michael Olsey is currently responsible for the chief’s duties while Marraccini is suspended. The department does not have a captain in its ranks to fill the interim position, as Marraccini collects a $12,000 stipend for leaving the position vacant on top of his $185,000 chief salary.
Marraccini joined the department in 1984 and has served as the police chief since 2010.
Town Attorney Frank Allegretti and Councilwoman Marlane Amelio, a Republican, could not be reached for comment, as of press time. Andrew Quinn, a defense attorney representing Marraccini, also could not be reached for comment as of press time.
