Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara’s attorney is claiming that the chief was placed on leave by town manager Tom Calter three weeks ago because of the Sandra Birchmore murder case.
In a press release Thursday, McNamara’s attorney, Leah Barrault, said that the chief’s lawsuit against Calter and the town is being amended to include new allegations under the state’s Whistleblower law.
The lawsuit claims that Calter took action against the chief because of her participation with the FBI in their upcoming murder trial related to former Stoughton police officer, Matthew Farwell, who is accused of murdering Sandra Birchmore.
Farwell was indicted for strangling Birchmore in February 2021 and staging her apartment to look like a suicide to prevent her from exposing their long-term sexual relationship that began when she was a minor.
The lawsuit also claims that Calter put McNamara on leave because the chief refused to comply with Calter’s demands that she destroy a second investigation report concerning Birchmore.
Meanwhile, McNamara’s motion that was to be heard in court today seeking an injunction ordering Stoughton town officials to take action about her employment status was withdrawn.
That was due to both McNamara and Calter being placed on administrative leave by the select board on Wednesday night pending an independent investigation into the dispute.
The select board appointed Marc Tisdale as acting town manager. He has been serving as assistant town manager and town engineer for the past 15 years.