Top Capizzi Managers Put on Paid Leave

Two days after taking office, Dist. Atty. Anthony J. Rackauckas said Wednesday that he has placed his election opponent and two other former top managers on paid administrative leave.

“I did this so I can look at their situations and see what should be done,” Rackauckas said. “I am assessing the needs of the office and how we might be able to use their services.”

Brent F. Romney and Wallace J. Wade--two top assistants to former Dist. Atty. Mike Capizzi--were notified Tuesday that they were on leave. Rackauckas said their status will be reevaluated within the next few days or weeks.

Rackauckas defeated Wade in the June election to succeed Capizzi. Romney was also a candidate in the race but pulled out early on.

Karen Davis, Capizzi’s director of administrative services, was placed on paid administrative leave, and Rackauckas said she will not be returning to the district attorney’s office.

The changes come a week after Rackauckas announced his new management team, which includes none of Capizzi’s top assistants.

Reached at home Wednesday evening, Wade said he would not speculate about his future.

“I’ve always said I wanted to stay in the office,” said Wade, a 19-year veteran of the department.

Romney said his conversation with Rackauckas was “straightforward and matter-of-fact.”

“I enjoy being a prosecutor, and I have been for 22 years,” Romney said. “The people in the district attorney’s office are, for the most part, simply outstanding. But if the county makes a [retirement package] offer, I want to look at that to see what is best for my family.”