DOC official faces charges
Toolbox
By Brent Curtis STAFF WRITER - Published: December 4, 2009
A Department of Corrections administrator in charge of training prison staff is facing multiple charges, including a felony, and has been placed on administrative leave while an internal review of the case takes place, according to Corrections Commissioner Andrew Pallito.
Barry Mulcahy, director of the Vermont Corrections Academy and an administrator involved in every aspect of Corrections Department Training, pleaded innocent recently in Rutland District Court to a felony charge of impeding a public officer and misdemeanor charges of drunken driving and disorderly conduct.
Mulcahy, who lives in Leicester, was cited to appear in court last month after he was arrested in Brandon by police who said they needed to use a Taser to subdue him.
Brandon Sgt. Charles Whitehead said Mulcahy was weaving over the yellow line when police stopped his GMC truck on Route 7 on the night of Nov. 11. Mulcahy's wife told police that she followed Mulcahy in her car because she was concerned about her husband, who had spent most of the day drinking, Whitehead said.
For his part, Mulcahy told police he drank about a 12-pack of beer — and he had an open 12-ounce Corona in his truck when he was stopped, police said. But after failing a field sobriety test, Mulcahy refused a breath test, Whitehead said.
The sergeant said Mulcahy also became aggressive during processing at the Brandon Police Department, threatening the three officers in the room. When Mulcahy allegedly advanced aggressively toward one of the officers, Whitehead said he used his Taser to subdue the 48-year-old man.
Mulcahy was jailed after police booked him but was released and cited into court. After his arraignment, he was freed on conditions of release.
Pallito said the incident prompted Corrections officials to place Mulcahy on administrative leave while an internal investigation takes place.
"We need to give him a chance to respond," Pallito said of the 24-year Corrections veteran. "But these are serious charges and (the Agency of Human Services) investigation unit is reviewing the case."
The results of that investigation could lead to disciplinary action and dismissal, Pallito said.
The charges against Mulcahy came as a surprise to the commissioner who described Mulcahy's performance over the years as "stellar."
"Barry oversees the academy where the core values include integrity and truthfulness," Pallito said. "I don't know what happened or why."
brent.curtis@rutlandherald.com
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