By VDC staff

More than 50 criminal cases in Barre City are being dismissed after an investigation found that a police officer allegedly engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a woman he had arrested, according to reporting by WCAX News.

The investigation involved Barre City Police Officer Matthew Frey, whose credibility has been questioned following allegations of misconduct while the woman’s criminal case was still pending.

WCAX News reported that the investigation found Frey began communicating with the woman through social media during the summer of 2026 and obtained partially nude photographs from her. Investigators also determined that the two later had a sexual encounter. The woman told police she felt coerced into the relationship.

The allegations stem from an incident in May, when Frey responded with another officer to a car crash in Barre City.

Washington County State’s Attorney Michelle Donnelly confirmed that a neighboring state’s attorney reviewed the investigation and determined that a Giglio letter was appropriate.

A Giglio letter is issued when information about a law enforcement officer’s credibility could affect the officer’s ability to testify in criminal proceedings. VDC has not seen a copy of the letter.

“These are very serious allegations, and it really impacts the credibility of this officer,” Donnelly said, according to WCAX News.

Donnelly said she would no longer accept cases involving Frey following the allegations and the issuance of the letter to defense attorneys.

As a result, prosecutors have dismissed approximately 50 criminal cases involving the officer, with the possibility of additional dismissals as the review continues.

Donnelly expressed frustration over the impact on the cases, saying the dismissals could prevent defendants from being held accountable for their alleged conduct.

Barre City Police Chief Brad Vail told WCAX News that the allegations and the resulting letter came as a surprise. He also said he did not believe there were other misconduct cases involving Frey.

Vail emphasized that there are currently no criminal charges against the officer and said the allegations do not reflect the department as a whole.

Frey remains on administrative leave while the city conducts its own internal investigation.

When asked whether the Giglio letter would change Frey’s employment status, Vail said the administrative investigation must be allowed to proceed.

According to WCAX News, the city’s internal investigation was expected to conclude by the end of the week.

Donnelly also emphasized that she continues to have full confidence in the other members of the Barre City Police Department.

Source and credit: This report is based on reporting by Ike Bendavid and WCAX News, which obtained the Giglio letter and reported details of the investigation and the resulting case dismissals.