PALMER — After much ado, prosecutors have officially dismissed drunken driving charges against for Springfield Police Detective Gregg Bigda.
According to records in Palmer District Court, three charges were dismissed on Tuesday. This, despite previous vows from the Hampden District Attorney’s office that the charges would not be dismissed after a key witness failed to show up at a pretrial hearing last month.
Bigda, who had his share of troubles before retiring from the police force last summer after years of being on paid leave, was charged with OUI and related counts on Oct. 1, 2023.
He was poised to go to trial last month until the arresting officer, Palmer Det. Michael Ciofalo, was caught up in an investigation linked to his allegedly assaulting an intern with the police department, according to records obtained by The Republican.
A spokesperson for Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni confirmed there was an ongoing investigation, as did Palmer Police Chief Christopher J. Burns.
“I conducted a preliminary interview with (the alleged victim) on Sept. 30 and she confirmed she reported the above allegations to Officer (Jacob) Marini and she believed she had no choice but to participate in the sexual activity, due to Det. Ciofalo’s position of authority,” Burns’ report says.
Ciofalo could not be reached for comment, but Burns said he was placed on paid administrative leave pending the resolution of the investigation.
Court records show “I conducted a preliminary interview with (the alleged victim) on Sept. 30 and she confirmed she reported the above allegations to Officer (Jacob) Marini and she believed she had no choice but to participate in the sexual activity, due to Det. Ciofalo’s position of authority,” Burns’ report says.
Ciofalo could not be reached for comment. Burns said he has been on paid administrative leave pending the resolution of the investigation.
Publicly available court records show Ciofalo has not been charged.
The OUI prosecution concluded years after Bigda also was charged and acquitted in a federal police brutality case.
Bigda’s lawyer, A.J. O’Donald III, said his client is pleased the case is behind him.
“He’s looking forward to getting on with his life,” O’Donald said.
