The cause for last month’s sudden exit of the township’s veteran fire chief remains up in the air — or at least is not being discussed publicly.
Richard Marinucci Jr. either voluntarily resigned his $116,000 a year post March 18, or was pushed out for still unexplained reasons.
Speculation about what led to the move is fueled by anonymous emails sent to several Metro Detroit news agencies. One email received by The Detroit News even alleged Marinucci was escorted out of the fire department’s offices last month — which he adamantly denies.
“He has resigned and beyond that it is a personnel matter and we don’t discuss personnel matters,” said John Werth, the township’s director of public safety who supervises the 30-member fire department and is now its acting chief.
Township Manager Chip Snider echoed that stance when asked to comment.
As appointed fire chief, Marinucci was an at-will employee, meaning his employment could be terminated at any time without explanation.