Roy Patterson has been fired as director of the Tewksbury Parks and Recreation Department.

Town Manager Richard Montouri has confirmed that he fired Patterson Friday but declined to comment any further, citing a continuing criminal investigation being conducted by the PACT investigative unit in the office of Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone.

The PACT unit investigates allegations of public corruption.

Patterson, credited by many for greatly expanding the program offerings of the Parks and Recreation Department during his tenure, was placed on paid administrative leave on Dec. 13, the day Tewksbury Police handed over the findings of their investigation to Leone's office.

The Parks and Recreation building on Livingstone Street, which housed the P and R offices as well as the Tewksbury Youth Center was also closed on Dec. 13. Montouri has said previously there is no timetable for it to reopen.

On Dec. 17, Lauren Bebo-Morris, who had been on maternity leave, was fired by Montouri.

A spokesperson in Leone's office said no timetable has been set for a conclusion to the investigation and they would not comment on whether evidence is being presented to a Grand Jury.

The genesis for the investigation appears to be an audit done two years ago, which red-flagged concerns regarding the fiscal relationship between the Parks and Recreation Department, the Youth Center, the non-profit "Friends of the Tewksbury Teen Center."

Many parents have raised concerns regarding the future of the spring and summer programs normally offered by the Parks and Recreation Department. Montouri said he will know more about these programs and will be able to speak to their future in two weeks.

Montouri has not spokeman specifically on how he intends to staff the Parks and Recreation Department moving forward. However, indications are the staff will be cut signifcantly, likely with the elimination of one of the two full-time positions.

In his Fiscal Year 2012 Budget proposal, Montouri included just $46,478 for salaries. That's down from the $111,642 earmarked for salaries in the FY 2011 Budget.

He said inquiries regarding Recreation Department programs can be made through his office at 978-640-4300.