Two police officers are set to go to trial in January on charges connected to the operation of an illegal nightclub in Jamaica Plain, according to court filings. The case centers on a basement at 360B Centre Street, where prosecutors allege a hidden nightlife operation ran for months during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Story Highlights

• Boston Police Officer Richard McDermott charged with witness intimidation, maintaining a gambling nuisance, and seeking a criminal record check under false pretenses.

• Health Commission Campus Police Officer Luigi D’Addieco charged with withholding evidence and maintaining a gambling nuisance.

• Prosecutors allege the officers converted an HVAC rental space into an underground nightclub.

• July 10, 2021 shooting tied to the venue left a bouncer wounded.

• Both officers pleaded not guilty and remain on bail, with trial set for January.

A Basement Business Turned Nightclub

Court documents show that McDermott and D’Addieco originally rented the Jamaica Plain property to run an HVAC company. When the pandemic disrupted normal business, prosecutors say the pair shifted course and converted the basement into a full nightclub — complete with DJs, bottle service, and hired bouncers.

The operation drew attention on July 10, 2021, when gunfire erupted inside the club. Prosecutors allege that 37-year-old Evan Velez aimed at a bouncer, firing several shots, injuring him, and shattering a glass door at the front of the building. Velez faces a separate trial in November on charges including armed assault with intent to murder.

Police Response and Discovery

That night, officers responding to reports of gunfire forced their way into the Centre Street address with a tactical team, uncertain whether a shooter remained inside or whether victims needed aid.

Among the last to leave the building was McDermott. Fellow Boston police officers immediately recognized him.

According to prosecutors, McDermott told his colleagues he was only there for a family gathering.

“I was at my brother-in-law’s party and had no idea what was going on,” McDermott allegedly said at the scene.

But investigators now claim that surveillance video contradicted that statement.

“Contrary to that misleading statement, video surveillance captured McDermott looking out of the front door of the club, having had to step over the blood and broken glass before Boston Police responded,” prosecutors wrote in a court summary.

Phone Calls and Evidence

Prosecutors allege that Luigi D’Addieco arrived at the nightclub after the shooting, parking across the street. Records show that he and McDermott exchanged multiple phone calls during the chaotic night.

In later interviews with detectives, both men allegedly gave misleading information about their roles in the nightclub’s operation, prosecutors say.

Charges and Next Steps

McDermott faces charges of witness intimidation, maintaining a gambling nuisance, and seeking a criminal record check under false pretenses. D’Addieco is charged with withholding evidence from a criminal proceeding and maintaining a gambling nuisance.

Both officers have pleaded not guilty and are free on bail. A hearing in the case is scheduled for later this month, with the trial expected to begin in January.

The upcoming Boston police officer trial over the Jamaica Plain nightclub will put both law enforcement credibility and public trust under scrutiny. With serious charges of misconduct, false statements, and ties to an underground nightclub linked to gun violence, the case highlights ongoing concerns about accountability within the police force. As the January trial approaches, the proceedings are expected to draw close attention from both the community and state officials.

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