A West Tisbury police lieutenant who was a finalist for the chief of police position is threatening to sue the town over alleged misconduct during the interviewing process for the department’s top role. 

Lieut. Matthew Gebo, a 16-year veteran at the department, sent the select board a demand letter earlier this month, claiming that he was retaliated against for his union activities and was overlooked for the chief job because he wouldn’t accept a quid pro quo agreement. 

“Because he refused to participate in corruption and because of his union affiliation, [Mr. Gebo] was retaliated against and denied the promotion he had earned,” Mr. Gebo’s attorney Ryan Kenny wrote in the Sept. 5 letter. 

Though no legal complaint has been filed, Mr. Kenny has called on town officials to preserve documents related to the chief of police selection process, and has claimed economic damages mounting to nearly $3 million. He also raised the possibility of filing complaints with the state labor department, state ethics commission and the attorney general. 

Jennifer Rand, the West Tisbury town administrator, declined to comment on the allegations when interviewed this week. 

The town embarked on a search for a new chief earlier this year, after Chief Matthew Mincone announced in May his intention to retire. The town formed a selection committee to sift through applications and public interviews were held in July. 

Lieut. Gebo, Sgt. Bradley Cortez and Sgt. Jeremie Rogers were selected as the three finalists and the select board unanimously voted in July for Mr. Cortez to be the next chief.

In the demand letter, Mr. Gebo’s attorney alleged that Mr. Mincone and the town interfered with the screening selection, and had closed-door meetings prior to the selection of the new chief. 

Mr. Kenny also claimed that Mr. Mincone offered Mr. Gebo a deal that would guarantee Mr. Gebo the chief position. Under the alleged deal, Mr. Gebo could take over the department if he promoted Mr. Cortez to lieutenant over Mr. Rogers. 

“Lt. Gebo’s refusal to participate in this scheme triggered retaliation, creating additional liability under the Whistleblower Act and exposing the Town to sanctions,” the letter reads.

  Mr. Gebo also claims that the police department, under Chief Mincone, had “deteriorated significantly,” according to the 14-page letter. When officers in the department unionized in 2024, Mr. Gebo claims that Mr. Mincone’s treatment of officers “he perceived as supporting unionization” worsened, according to the letter. 

“He blocked Lt. Gebo from attending previously approved training, spread disparaging remarks about him to staff, and undermined his candidacy for chief because of his union membership and votes,” the letter said.  

Mr. Gebo also alleges that the town expanded the job description from requiring five years of supervisory experience to only three, and a select board member suggested accepting an “exceptional candidate” with even more limited experience. 

“These shifting standards were plainly designed to shoehorn Cortez into eligibility,” the letter, which became public this week when it was included in the board’s meeting packet, stated.

In an interview with the Gazette, Mr. Kenny emphasized that corruption cost Lt. Gebo the promotion to chief. 

“What it comes down to is, Lieutenant Gebo made the hard choice to reject corruption even though it would likely cost him his promotion,” he said.  

Former Chief Mincone said he was aware of the allegations, but declined to talk about them in detail. 

“I am aware of it. I haven’t dug into it. I’m not going to have any more of a comment right now,” he told the Gazette Wednesday.  

Mr. Cortez had his swearing in ceremony on last week, the day before the letter was sent. He also declined to comment on the allegations.

Mr. Gebo’s comments about the former chief contrasted with statements he had made to the Gazette as the chief was retiring. In July, he praised the chief’s way of aiding officers coming up through the ranks. 

“His ability to teach and mold officers and gentlemen at the high school and the number of officers that have come through West Tisbury and have gone to have successful careers elsewhere... it’s really started with Chief Mincone,” Mr. Gebo said.

The letter received a brief acknowledgment at Wednesday’s select board meeting, though comments stuck to logistical points. 

“If the insurance company doesn’t provide a lawyer, then we need to retain labor counsel of some sort, so there’s just nothing to be done about this at this moment,” Ms. Rand, the town administrator, said.