Former narcotics detective--the son of Norwalk mayor, busted for drug theft, sues Fairfield

FAIRFIELD — A former detective who was accused of stealing thousands of dollars in heroin and OxyContin, is now suing the town, looking for lost wages and back pay, among other things.

Stephen Rilling, son of Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling, pleaded guilty in March to reduced charges and received a five-year suspended sentence, and three years probation.

Rilling’s lawsuit, filed in May, claims the Fairfield Police Department discriminated against him when they failed to transfer him out of the detective division where he was a narcotics investigator, after learning about his drug addiction. His addiction, Rilling said, stemmed from a 2009 car accident while on duty that resulted in a back injury and subsequent surgery in 2010. The town also denied his request for a disability pension following his 2017 resignation.

“We are confident that Steven was a victim of discrimination,” Rilling’s attorney, Eric R. Brown, said. “He was certainly eligible for a pension based upon his disability and it should have been awarded to him notwithstanding any of his alleged bad behavior.”

Read more: https://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Former-cop-busted-for-drug-theft-sues-Fairfield-13079718.php