The following is a complaint sent to the Franklin Police Chief Craig Liermann and the Franklin Fire and Police Commission by Franklin resident Rich Busalacchi. The complaint alleges Franklin Mayor John Nelson and/or city staff weaponized the Franklin Police Department as political payback for Nelson against Busalacchi during the February 21st Franklin Common Council Meeting.
Below is Busalacchi's full letter to Chief Liermann and the Franklin Fire and Police Commission.
February 22, 2024
Dear Police Chief Liermann and Members of the Fire and Police Commission,
I am Richard Busalacchi. The reason for me reaching out to you today is to describe an incident that occurred at the Franklin Common Council meeting last night, Wednesday, February 22. I am hoping to have a meeting with Chief Liermann to obtain some very direct answers to the incident concerning myself which appears to have been politically motivated by the Mayor and/or someone in the City Administration. I would like to state from the outset that NONE of my comments are a reflection on ANY Police Personnel as I believe they were following orders from their superiors and/or a city official(s).
Report of Incident
About 6:23pm, 3 minutes later, officer Thompson approached, tapped me on the shoulder, and asked me to step in the hall with him. In the hallway Officer Thompson cautioned me to be careful about my remarks so as not to cause a disruption. He also indicated that it has been reported that I have caused disruptions and disturbances at past common council meetings.
I then went back to my seat. I was the second citizen to make a public comment. You can see my comments on the video of the meeting at the 4:35 mark.
Before my comments I indicated to the Common Council that I was pulled out by the officer and informed the council of the harassing actions and suppression of speech. I presented my prepared statement to the council and took my seat.
About five minutes later, still being disturbed by what had transpired, I went to the entrance of the chambers where the officer was and asked him if he could come into the hall with me. He was very polite and came out with another unnamed officer. I indicated to the officer that what I am about to say he should not take personally as it IS NOT a reflection of anything he had done as he had followed someone's directive and I take no umbrage with him. I asked him where he received information that I would be causing a disruption at the meeting tonight. He indicated he was not able to share that with me. I then asked him for his name and badge number.
I then left City Hall and drove to the Police Station, arriving at 6:55pm. I asked to speak to the desk Sergeant and was told that he was just taking his shift and would be with me shortly. The Sergeant came out about 7:30pm and we went into the meeting room. I explained to the Sargent what had transpired and I wished to file a complaint against the Mayor for harassment and lying to a police officer. The Sargent and I pretty much agreed to disagree on filing a report.
The Sargent went down a line of questions about my past history with the Mayor and individual perceptions of what people have about me that they may consider causing a disruption and going over the line. I indicated to the Sergeant I have NEVER caused a disruption or gone over the line at any meeting. I encouraged the Sergeant to speak to any common Council Member and watch the Videos of the meetings I have attended. After about 20 minutes of discussion the Sergeant indicated that he was not going to file a report but submit it in the CAD file.
About 8:00pm I left and went home. Approximately 9pm I received a call from the Sergeant indicating that he talked to Officer Thompson. The Sergeant indicated to me that Officer Thompson indicated to him that he received a tip that I might be there and might cause a disruption. I asked the Sergeant what was the source of the tip and he indicated he could not share. The Sergeant also indicated that the Officer was correct in speaking to me to be “proactive”. Finally the Sergeant indicated that he would be adding to the report that there was a “tip” that I would cause a disturbance. The conversation lasted about 3 minutes.
Questions I am seeking answers to in a meeting with the Police Chief Liermann
Specifically who asked for the officers to be at the Common Council Meeting?
Why were the lights (blue and red) on in the unmarked squad? What was that to accomplish? Have lights ever been on the squad before at the Common Council Meeting?
Who specifically did the “tip” emanate from that I was going to cause a disturbance?
How did the Police know I was going to be there as I made the decision to attend at 5:30pm.
When was the squad dispatched to City Hall?
How did Officer Thompson know who I was? I have never met him before.
Based on what past actions was this action toward me predicated on?
Was there/is there any evidence that I ever caused a disruption at the Common Council or any other Franklin meeting?
Has any other citizen ever been informed by a Police Officer, prior to public comment, to watch what they say and do?
Concerns
I am deeply troubled and concerned that the actions taken last night by the Franklin Police Department were politically motivated by Mayor Nelson and/or a member of his Administration. It was very apparent and clear that I was the target of this ”operation” and it was intended to intimidate and harass me in an attempt to suppress my public comments. It is also apparent that the Mayor and/or someone from his administration lied to the Franklin Police Department with knowingly false information about me. If any Common Council member is questioned none will say that I EVER caused a disruption at any public meeting. I may have told a couple people exactly what they did not want to hear, but never ever caused or created a public disruption. Additionally, all Common Council meetings are on video and committee meetings are on audio. I have been present to about eight (8) common council meetings and committee meetings so watching the video tapes or listening to the audio would be pretty easy to prove. Additionally, I did not make the determination to attend the Common Council meeting until about 5:30pm that evening and no one but my wife and son were aware I was attending.
It is my contention that last night's actions by the Franklin Police Department is political payback. Political payback on behalf of Mayor Nelson and/or his staff and/or other politicians and/or business associates. It was direct retaliation, intimidation, suppression of speech (during public comment), and infringement of my 1st amendment rights. This political payback was intended because of filing open records requests, conducting meticulous research, and writing and posting articles that do not portray Franklin current city leadership and certain local businesses in the best light. John Nelson is not just the Mayor he is also a Police Officer in Waterford and should have known better.
Request
I respectfully ask the Police Chief and Police and Fire Commission to:
Conduct an investigation to determine if the Franklin Police Department acted in such a manner that it was used as a political weapon by the Mayor of Franklin and Franklin City Administration as political payback against a Franklin resident.
Determine if the Police were lawfully called to the Franklin City Hall.
Identify if Franklin Mayor John Nelson and/or City Administrator intentionally lied to staff of the Franklin Police Department about false allegations pertaining to me wanting to disrupt the Common Council Meeting.
Identify if the Police Department was provided a credible “threat” of disruption at the meeting.
If charges are warranted that Mayor John Nelson and/or implicated Franklin City Staff are charged with Harassment, filing a false police complaint, and lying to a Police Officer.
Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. I look forward to hearing from the Chief and the Commission.
Regards,
Richard Busalacchi
