[420 Girl]

NY - East Hampton Town Senior Harbormaster Don Bousson, who was arrested last week on a marijuana possession charge, resigned from his job on Friday, according to Patricia Breen, the town’s director of human resources. He had been temporarily relieved of duty after his arrest.

Mr. Bousson’s resignation will end the town’s investigation into departmental charges against him, said Town Police Chief Todd Sarris.

Mr. Bousson, 55, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment last week after being arrested on January 4 and charged with criminal possession of marijuana in the third degree, a felony. Police stopped Mr. Bousson on Three Mile Harbor Road around 8 p.m. at a checkpoint after receiving an anonymous tip to Suffolk County Crime Stoppers that gave Mr. Bousson’s name, and a detailed description of him and his vehicle, Chief Sarris said.

He said that the call was received from Florida, from where Mr. Bousson was returning when his car was stopped and he was found with more than a half pound of marijuana. Chief Sarris said there was no indication of an intent to sell and rumors of a set-up were not being investigated.

“There was no reason to believe that it was a set-up, and also any accusation of harassment is unfounded,” he said. “The arrest was made by established police practices heard by the court for years. The fact is that the information was so detailed that it gave us probable cause to inquire to whether it was factual.”

At his arraignment, Mr. Bousson’s attorney told Justice Catherine Cahill that Mr. Bousson has lived and worked in East Hampton for 21 years and this was his first arrest.

Chief Harbormaster Ed Michels, who had to file the departmental charges against Mr. Bousson, said Mr. Bousson met with Ms. Breen last week to discuss his resignation. Ms. Breen said she could not discuss details of that discussion, but that Mr. Bousson’s letter of resignation was submitted on Friday.

Mr. Michels said Mr. Bousson had been considering retirement before his arrest. He said Mr. Bousson did not discuss the decision to resign with him.

“He’s got 21 years in this town so it was on the table anyway,” he said. “Maybe he just decided this was the best way to go.”

Mr. Michels said Mr. Bousson was well liked in the department.

“It’s sad to see him go,” he said. “He’s been here a long time and a lot of experience goes out the door with him. But things change.”

Ms. Breen said Mr. Bousson was considered a Tier 4 employee under the New York State retirement system, which means he was vested in his pension after five years of employment. She said the criminal charge does not affect Mr. Bousson’s pension and neither would a conviction.

When reached on his cell phone on Friday, Mr. Bousson declined to comment.


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