ROCKLAND, Mass. - Two members of the Rockland Town Hall are now temporarily off the job following an alleged sex scandal.
Boston 25 News has been covering this story since the allegations surfaced last month.
Deidre Hall, the vice chair of the board of selectmen, complained of inappropriate behavior by town administrator Alan Chiocca.
"I am going to take a brief voluntary absence from the board, effective tomorrow," said Hall at a meeting on Tuesday night.
Hall asked the board to investigate, which led the board to place Chiocca on paid leave and hire an independent investigator that specializes in discrimination and harassment complains.
"Inappropriate behavior regardless of a professional or personal is unacceptable," said Edward Kimball, of the board of selectmen.
Sources told Boston 25 News that the allegations stem from a sexual encounter between Hall and Chiocca at the Town Hall after hours.
"Since the weeks that’s those allegations emerged it’s been challenging for me and my family; false rumors and gossip have spread particularly on social media about me and my devotion to my spouse, my husband Chris, and our children and our town,” said Hall.
At this point, the police chief said there are no criminal allegations and they're not getting involved.
Through his attorney, Chiocca told Boston 25 News he is cooperating with the investigation and denied he acted inappropriately.
Hall plans to return after the investigation is complete. Some residents, however, feel she should resign permanently and have been gathering signatures for a recall effort.
“Whether it was your fault whether it wasn’t your fault, the indiscretion was there do the right thing and step aside let someone else come in and let the community heal and that’s what I believe she is preventing from happening," said Richard Penney, who wants Hall to resign.
Others are saying they want Chiocca fired.
“I think it’s unfair that the town is still paying the administrator that is also involved in this case and he’s still collecting money and it’s an insult to the town of Rockland," said Rudy Childs, a Rockland resident.
On Tuesday night, the board voted that the town's police chief will also serve as the acting town administrator while the investigation continues.
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