Gross Says Walsh Knew Of Domestic Violence Charges Against Dennis White; Walsh Denies It

Former Mayor Marty Walsh knew that his choice for police commissioner, the now-suspended Dennis White, had been accused of domestic violence, according to a pair of affidavits filed Monday.

The assertion, made in separate court filings by White and retired Commissioner William Gross, contradicts Walsh’s claim that he was unaware of the allegations against White.

In a statement Monday night, Walsh held fast to his position that he had no knowledge of the allegations against White, which were made by White's then wife and were contained in confidential internal affairs files.

White, a 32-year veteran of the force, was named commissioner February 1, then swiftly placed on administrative leave two days after the Boston Globe reported on the existence of those files, which contained the more than 20-year-old allegations.

The political drama erupted as Walsh was preparing to become U.S. Secretary of Labor.

Following a report from an independent lawyer commissioned by the city to investigate the matter, Acting Mayor Kim Janey last week moved to dismiss White, but was thwarted when White went to Suffolk Superior Court claiming that Janey had overstepped her authority.

White’s lawyers have argued that the city's investigation had no basis and that the Janey's move to terminate him is unlawful because of flawed procedure and lack of cause.

Simply put, White's lawyers argue that to remove a police commissioner a hearing must be held before a judge.

Lawyers for the city contend that White lacks the legal standing to halt his own firing.

The two sides are scheduled to go before Suffolk Superior Court Associate Justice Heidi Brieger at 10 a.m. Thursday.

In his affidavit, Gross, who was responsible for vetting candidates for the highest BPD ranks prior to becoming to commissioner, said the mayor “must approve any candidate to the Command Staff,” adding that there is “no way anyone is brought onto” the upper echelon of police ranks without the mayor being briefed regarding each candidate and their internal affairs history.

White described a similar promotion procedure in his affidavit, stating that his internal affairs file was reviewed as early as 2013 when then-Mayor-elect Walsh was considering him for a deputy superintendent post.

From there, White said he was promoted again “to Superintendent in August 2018, and simultaneously appointed as the Commissioner’s Chief of Staff — the third-highest ranking position in the Boston Police Department. Mayor Walsh approved this promotion.”