The City of Pawtucket has reinstated four firefighters who were terminated last year following an investigation into allegations involving marijuana use, purchase, and sales among department personnel.

According to an NBC 10 I-Team report, the city disclosed for the first time that the allegations involved “the use, purchase, or sale of marijuana, both on and off duty.”

Ten firefighters ultimately left the department as a result of the investigation. Three retired, including two identified by the city as former high-ranking firefighters, and Firefighter Terrence O’Neill resigned. Six others were terminated.

In December 2025, Firefighter O’Neill was indicted on three counts of marijuana delivery. Prosecutors alleged the deliveries occurred between 2022 and 2023 and involved three other former Pawtucket firefighters. Court records cited by NBC 10 indicated that O’Neill pleaded not guilty.

In October 2025, the six terminated firefighters filed suit against the city in Providence County Superior Court under the caption Lareto Guglietta et al. v. The City of Pawtucket, by and through its Finance Director, Nick Radesca et al., case number PC-2025-05712. The lawsuit alleges the firefighters were terminated solely for off-duty cannabis use. According to the complaint, Rhode Island law permits off-duty cannabis use, although employers may impose restrictions for positions deemed hazardous, dangerous, or essential to public welfare and safety.

At the same time, Pawtucket Firefighters IAFF Local 1261 grieved the terminations through the contractual arbitration process.

According to NBC 10, the city later reached agreements through the grievance process with three of the terminated firefighters. Firefighter Steven Gomes reportedly returned to the payroll on January 1, 2026, Firefighter Thomas Trabulsi returned on March 15, 2026, and Firefighter Noah Leblanc is scheduled to return on October 16, 2026. The city stated the resolutions included probationary periods and drug testing conditions.

Three other firefighters proceeded to arbitration. Firefighter Jonathan Sundquist and Firefighter Lareto Guglietta reportedly remain terminated pending arbitration outcomes. Firefighter Clinton Lyles returned to work on May 5, 2026, after an arbitrator reduced his discipline to a 60-day suspension.

According to the arbitration ruling described by NBC 10, Firefighter Lyles was accused of texting another firefighter in 2022 seeking to purchase an ounce of “smoke,” and later purchasing marijuana at the firefighter’s home. The ruling reportedly found no evidence that Firefighter Lyles used marijuana while on duty or reported to work under the influence.

NBC 10 reported that the arbitration decision resulted in Firefighter Lyles receiving back pay for approximately ten months out of work. The firefighters union also announced that Firefighter Lyles was promoted to lieutenant.

Pawtucket Police Chief and Acting Public Safety Director Chief Tina Goncalves defended the city’s response, telling NBC 10: “I think that the city has to take a very strong stance, especially when it comes to public safety.”

Pawtucket Firefighters IAFF Local 1261 President Erik Cordeiro told NBC 10 that the union fought the terminations, while also acknowledging misconduct occurred. “[Neither the] union nor myself condone any drug use while on duty at all,” he said.

NBC10 Coverage      WPRI TV12 Coverage