Rape charges against fire official dismissed

FALMOUTH, Mass. -- Rape charges against a Cape Cod fire department official have been dismissed because his accuser invoked "marital privilege" in declining to testify.

The Cape Cod Times citing court documents reports that a Falmouth District Court judge dismissed the charges against Bourne Deputy Fire Chief Paul Weeks on Wednesday after the complainant met with the district attorney.

The 43-year-old Weeks had pleaded not guilty after his arrest in October.

Weeks had been on paid leave since his arrest, but town officials say he will be reinstated immediately. Weeks says he is looking forward to getting back to work, but otherwise declined to discuss the case.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)