Watch CBS News

Who Should Be Held Responsible For Fall River Pool Death?

FALL RIVER (CBS) - Closed-door hearings were held at Fall River City Hall Tuesday for two health inspectors, who have been on paid leave since the body of a woman was found at a state-run pool last month.

The two inspectors had given the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Pool a clean bill of health, even though the water was too murky to see the body of 36-year-old Marie Joseph for two days. The two inspectors were at that pool on one of those days.

Fall River city attorney Steve Torres says jurisdiction is a key question.

WBZ-TV's Diana Perez reports.

The inspectors were grilled at a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday.

Union attorney Jaime DiPaola-Kenney, representing the two inspectors, said responsibility for the pool is clear.

"They are city inspectors and they do not have jurisdiction over this pool," she says. "This is a state-run, state-operated pool in question."

Their attorney said they inspected the pool as a courtesy and had no power to take any action.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Doug Cope reports.

Podcast

Torres says he will review all the evidence, and make a recommendation to the mayor for disciplinary action, if any, against the two inspectors.

Meanwhile, both inspectors are on paid leave and the pool is closed.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.