CSP ends East Lyme internal affairs investigation saying officials violated terms

The archive video above aired in June.

EAST LYME, Conn. (WTNH) — State police say they will no longer be doing an Internal Affairs Investigation for the East Lyme Police Department after they say East Lyme police violated the terms of the investigation.

In a statement issued Thursday, they said the investigation into the department’s police chief is officially off as of July 25.

In June, state police charged 53-year-old police chief Michael Finkelstein with disorderly conduct and second-degree breach of peace over an alleged domestic violence incident. He was later additionally charged with making a false statement and another count of disorderly conduct.

State police said East Lyme officials asked them to conduct an internal affairs investigation into the police department after the arrest.

At that time, state police agreed and outlined the expectations of East Lyme officials, which included not speaking about the investigation publicly or in the media “in order to maintain the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.”

When it came to the investigation, they were told to forward all media inquiries to state police because they were not allowed to disclose subject information, confidential meeting discussions, or any additional information regarding the case.

However, state police said East Lyme officials were cited in a New London Day article on July 23 doing just that.

“The inability of East Lyme officials to maintain the conditions agreed upon before the
investigation even begins is a concern to CSP,” state police said in their statement.

At the time of Finkelstein’s arrest, East Lyme First Selectman Daniel R. Cunningham said the police chief was on paid administrative leave pending the results of the investigation. The police department said his arrest is for “a family related matter” and that Lt. Michael Macek has been named the acting chief of police.

According to an arrest warrant, his charges stem from an alleged struggle between Finkelstein and a woman over a cell phone.

The woman told police the incident ended with Finkelstein hitting her in the face, but Finkelstein claims the victim hit herself in the face while attempting to pull the phone away from him. The warrant shows where the woman had injuries to her nose, upper lip and chin.

News 8 has reached out to East Lyme First Selectman Daniel R. Cunningham and Michael Finkelstein’s attorney for comment.

Officials with the police department declined to comment.

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