Updated at 8:44 p.m., May 19, 2021
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Former Boston Police Commissioner William Gross stated in a sworn affidavit that former Mayor Marty Walsh was aware of domestic violence allegations against suspended Commissioner Dennis White as early as 2014.
Walsh appointed White as commissioner in late January. However, he was placed on administrative leave just days later when the decades-old allegations resurfaced.
Gross wrote in a court filing in Suffolk Superior Court that in January 2014, he and then-Commissioner William Evans reviewed internal affairs reports of White because he was a candidate for a promotion as deputy superintendent; which is a commanding role in the department.
In the affidavit, Gross said that Walsh had to review and approve any candidate.
"There is no way anyone is brought onto the command staff without such a briefing to the mayor and approval by the mayor," Gross said. “The city, including Mayor Walsh, was aware no later than January 2014 of White’s IA [internal affairs] record.”
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In a statement to WBZ NewsRadio, Walsh said he was not aware of the domestic abuse allegations against White until after he appointed him as police commissioner.
"Neither the allegations nor the internal affairs files were shared with me in 2014, or during any other consideration of Dennis White," Walsh said. "Had I known, I would not have chosen him for police commissioner or any other role."
White filed a lawsuit against Acting Mayor Kim Janey last week to stop a hearing that would oust him from his position. He alleged his rights were being violated.
The affidavit was sent in as a part of White's lawsuit as he prepares for his hearing Thursday.
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