Judge Won't Block Boston's Firing of Police Commissioner

A superior court judge Tuesday refused to block the city of Boston from firing its new police commissioner, Dennis White, over decades-old allegations of domestic violence that surfaced shortly after he was promoted four months ago.

Judge Heidi Brieger ruled that Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey has the right to remove the commissioner, so long as she gives him an opportunity to be heard. In addition, Brieger ruled that an injunction is not necessary, because White can always challenge the decision later and seek monetary damages if he believes the firing was improper, WBUR reports.

"The court concludes that the Commissioner is not entitled to an injunction because he is unlikely to succeed on the merits and has failed to show irreparable harm," Brieger wrote in the 8-page order , filed in Suffolk Superior Court.

On Wednesday, Brieger agreed to a hold  of her order while White appeals her ruling.

Former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh named White to succeed outgoing Police Commissioner William Gross in January. But Walsh put White on administrative leave and ordered an investigation after The Boston Globe reported he had been accused of domestic violence in a messy divorce in 1990s.

White denies the allegations. And his lawsuit said the city didn't give him a fair opportunity to respond. He filed a lawsuit on May 14 after learning Janey planned to replace him hours later.